Joyride violated TNVS fare structure — LTFRB

Transport network company (TNC) Joyride violated the fare structure set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) or app-based ride-hailing platforms, a top official of the agency said Saturday.

At the Laging Handa briefing, LTFRB executive director Tina Cassion said that although Joyride submitted a written response denying allegations of excessive charges, the regulator has found otherwise.

“On the ground when we validated it, hindi naman yun yung nangyari (it’s not what is really happening),” Cassion said.

“Kinompyut namin like for example P120 lang yung supposed to be na babayaran for a seven-kilometer na ride, ang siningil ay P344 because of the ‘Priority Boarding Fee’,” she added.

(We computed for example the fare for a seven-kilometer ride is supposed to be P120 but what was charged was P344 because of the ‘Priority Boarding Fee.’)

On Thursday, the LTFRB disclosed that it received an anonymous complaint that Joyride was charging P1,000 representing one-way ride due to what is called “Priority Boarding Fee.” 

In response to the complaint, the agency directed Joyride to submit a written explanation on why their accreditation as TNC should not be suspended and/or revoked within 10 days from receipt of the show cause order.

In an earlier statement, Joyride senior vice president for corporate affairs Noli Eala clarified that the TNC’s “Priority Boarding Fee” is “optional fee that customers can freely add to the total fare of the booking.”

Cassion, however, said that the “Priority Booking Fee” is not allowed under the LTFRB’s fare structure.

The fares for the TNVS are supposed to be:

•     P40 flagdown rate for sedan-type TNVS, with P15 fare per kilometer and P2.00 per minute travel fare
•     For premium AUV/SUV, flagdown rate is at P50 with P18 per kilometer fare and P2 per minute travel fare
•     Hatchback or sub-compact type TNVS have P30 flagdown rate with P13 per kilometer fare rate and P2 per minute travel fare

“Nowhere can you find in the fare structure of the LTFRB the ‘Priority Boarding Fee,’ whether or not it is optional because we have a standard rate,” Cassion said.

The LTFRB official said it has submitted its report on Joyride’s supposed violation.

“May citation ticket din kami na na-issue (We’ve already issued a citation ticket). It’s up to the Board if they will penalize,” Cassion said.

Eala, meanwhile, said Joyride has already requested a meeting with the LTFRB, adding that it's better to have a dialogue with the agency. —LBG/VBL, GMA News