Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is looking to regulate fares of Transport Network Companies Uber and GrabCar.
The LTFRB on Friday (September 18) ordered GrabCar to remove the destination option and tip system on its application.
LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said he found numerous complaints online against GrabCar drivers for being choosy in accepting passengers.
GrabCar drivers can see the destination of potential passengers therefore affording them the option to refuse accepting rides with a longer route.
Ginez also wants to remove the tip system because, he said, it functions more as a bribe rather than a tip.
GrabCar Philippines Head Natasha Bautista said the company is willing to abide by the LTFRB’s order.
Uber, meanwhile, does not require passengers to input his or her destination when using the app to get a ride.
The app-based service has no tip system, but it implements a price surge at certain hours, whenever there is a shortage of Uber drivers in a given area.
Uber defended that the surge encourages drivers to flock the area.
Ginez said that commuters should be protected from unnecessary surges in fares.
“We don’t want a predatory pricing. Ibig sabihin, the price should not be too high na mapepwersa ang consumer na kagatin yon dahil andon yung pangangailangan. Kumbaga kung wala nang opportunity, kakagatin na niya not because gusto niya but because the situation demands for it,” said Ginez.
