Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30) — Transport Network Companies (TNC) Uber and Grab on Wednesday agreed to comply with transport regulators’ memorandum circular providing for an enhanced personal accident insurance program for passengers.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) member Aileen Lizada said officials from Uber and Grab agreed to provide insurance coverage after discussions with the technical working group.
Under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2015-028, passengers of public utility vehicles are entitled to monetary benefits from P3,000 to P200,000, including accidental death and other injuries.
Lizada said details of the insurance coverage will likely be finalized on September.
During the meeting on Wednesday, Lizada said Uber committed not to pass on the P190-million fine it paid to lift the month-long suspension to commuters.
The transport regulators, however, want to access Uber’s system to make sure the app-based TNC is complying.
“We told them also we be given access to their system any given time we want to check,” Lizada said.
Lizada added surge pricing is also capped at 1.2 times the normal fare at the moment.
“They are now down to 1.2 and they will keep that for a certain period. Please let us know if… Because they are allowed times two. Please let us know if the fares have been doubling,” she said.
The LTFRB also said it is planning to talk to car dealers to discuss in-house financing and the issue of assuming balance for a vehicle.
Another meeting with a technical working group will take place in two weeks to determine policies concerning TNCs.
“Nonetheless, in the exigency of the service and exercising the quasi-judicial powers of the board, we-and jurisprudence supports us-we are allowed to come up with a fine, taking into consideration the demand of the riding public vis-a-vis the violation that needs to be addressed,” Lizada said.
