LTFRB summons 19 ride-hailing firms refusing fare hikes

Land transportation regulators issued show-cause orders Thursday against 19 ride-hailing companies for failing to implement recently authorized fare increases designed to assist drivers facing rising fuel costs.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) summoned executives from the 19 Transport Network Companies (TNCs) following widespread complaints from drivers that operators were continuing to charge old rates, denying them approved income adjustments.

The government implemented across-the-board fare hikes for public utility vehicles 28 September.

Under the approved grid, base fares for sedans increased to P65 from P45, utility vehicles to P75 from P55, hatchbacks to P55 from P35, and premium transport vehicles to P165 from P145.

LTFRB acting chairperson Greg Pua Jr. clarified that while lower fares might seem beneficial to passengers, delaying the adjustment directly harms drivers operating on individual profit margins.

“Some of our fellow citizens may wonder why we still need to call these TNCs and why we cannot simply be thankful that fares are not being increased,” Pua said.

“It is the drivers who shoulder the expenses for gasoline and diesel, and not the companies. So, when the fare increase is not implemented, they are the ones who suffer,” he added.

Pua added that refusing to adjust the fare matrix defeats the regulatory intent of providing economic relief across the public transport sector.