By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered on Thursday, Jan. 12, Grab Philippines to explain charging a minimum base fare of P85 for short trips.
The LTFRB gave Grab Philippines five days to submit data on the number of times the transport booking app demanded surge fees for short distances.
“There will be no more hearing on this issue. We have already asked them to submit their position paper and that’s when we will come up with a decision,” LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz said.
Teofilo said a Board decision should be out by the first week of February.
“What we intend to do is to put up parameters, that only one entity can set the pricing. While it is true that the party has the mechanism, it is still the government that exercises regulatory functions and defines when they can impose an increase,” he added.
“What we would like to establish is what time can they impose an increase and in what areas they can make the increase.” – gb
