Grab stands by legality of P2 per minute travel charge

Grab Philippines is making a firm stand on the legality of the P2 per minute travel charge.

The transport network company (TNC) is now looking at the legal options available in contesting an order issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Grab country head Brian Cu issued the statement on Wednesday, a day after the board slapped the ride hailing firm with P10-million fine for overcharging its passengers.

The LTFRB has ordered Grab to reimburse, by way of rebate, all passengers affected by the P2 per minute travel charge from June 5, 2017 to April 10, 2018.

“We stand by the legality of the P2 per minute fare component,” Cu said.

“We would like to reiterate that it is legal, pursuant to the DO 2015-011,” Cu noted.

The department order issued by then-Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) gave TNCs the right to implement their fare structure.

Cu reassured the riders and partners of Grab that the company is here to stay.

“But no matter how we decide to move forward from this, be assured, Grab will stay,” he said.

“We would like our driver-partners and passengers to know that we are committed to continuing Grab’s pursuit towards a better future for the transportation industry,” he said.

LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada has a dissenting opinion on the LTFRB order released to the media on Tuesday, noting that TNCs were still authorized to impose a P2 per minute travel charge while DO 2015-011 was in place.

The order was amended in June 2018, giving LTFRB the authority to regulate, supervise, and determine the fare rates of TNCs.

Grab was compelled to suspend the P2 charge last April after PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles claimed it was part of the TNC’s “hidden charges.” —VDS, GMA News