(Eagle News)–Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to reassess Grab’s fare matrix following a surge in its prices in recent days.
“The high fare is killing the festive mood of many Filipino commuters,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
According to Gatchalian, based on the fare matrix approved by the LTFRB last August 1, Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) companies shall charge a flag down rate of up to P40 for car sedans, up to P50 for premium Asian utility vehicles/sport utility vehicles and up to P30 for hatchbacks/sub-compact vehicles.
The LTFRB also allowed a P15 additional charge per kilometer for sedans, P18 for SUVs, and P13 for hatchbacks–aside from the P2 charge per minute of travel, he said.
He added the LTFRB also allowed TNVS companies to double their per kilometer and per minute charge through surge pricing.
Gatchalian did not buy Grab’s argument the high prices were due to an increased demand and limited supply of drivers, saying the high prices were implemented even in the wee hours of the morning when the demand is low and there are fewer vehicles on the road.
“Without competition in the hail-riding industry, our poor commuters will always be at the mercy of high fares. Kaya naman sinusuportahan natin ang pagpasok ng ibang players sa industriyang ito, gaya na lamang ng TNVS GoJek, upang may pagpipilian ang ating mga commuters at hindi sila nagtitiyaga sa mataas na singil ng pamasahe ng Grab,” Gatchalian said.
