TNVS drivers push fare hike, slam low-fare model

Drivers of ride-hailing platform inDrive are urging the company to abandon its low-fare strategy and align rates with the standard fare matrix set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), saying rising fuel costs have eroded their earnings.

In an interview, inDrive driver David Fritch John Ramos of Marikina City said his income has significantly dropped since fuel prices surged due to tensions in the Middle East.

“Before the fuel surge, I was earning P4,000 to P5,000 profit for a 10-hour drive. But things are different now. Since the start of the fuel surge, P2,000 clean profit na lang ang nauuwi ko,” Ramos said.

Ramos said he supports calls for the company to revise its pricing approach.

On Tuesday, five inDrive drivers representing more than 300 members of their group sought the help of the LTFRB to review the platform’s “lowest fare” scheme, which they said is unsustainable.

“The marketing strategy and super low fare of inDrive is not sustainable, and unfair for drivers. If they have a promo for passengers, drivers should not be compromised. If they want to expand market reach, it should not be at the expense of drivers. This should be seriously scrutinized by government regulators,” said driver Michael San Diego during a press conference.

He said current fares no longer reflect operating realities, particularly with fuel prices rising sharply.

“As operating costs, especially fuel, rise, many argue that cheap rides for passengers could mean that drivers themselves are bearing the brunt of the true cost of the service. In this situation, the issue is no longer just about price, but about the driver’s livelihood and the fate of the entire TNVS industry. When a platform sets extremely low fares as the standard, it can drag down prices across the entire sector and put the industry in a dangerous ‘race to the bottom’ scenario,” he said.

San Diego added that some drivers have already stopped operating, while others have shifted to competing platforms.

The appeal comes as the LTFRB approved a fare increase for transport network vehicle services (TNVS) on Tuesday to help offset rising fuel costs.

The board allowed a P20 increase in base fares, raising sedan rates from P45 to P65, Asian utility vehicle and SUV rates from P55 to P75, hatchback rates from P35 to P55, and premium vehicles from P145 to P165.

Despite driver concerns, inDrive reported a 31 percent increase in revenue to $601.6 million in 2025.

The company operates in the Philippines under provisional accreditation from the LTFRB and has adjusted its model to comply with local regulations.

With more than 13,000 drivers, inDrive is present in Metro Manila and key cities including Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, and Butuan.

The company has yet to issue an official statement, pending approval from its foreign management.