inDrive tweaking app following suspension over fare haggling

InDrive said on Thursday that it is now improving its application after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended its operations over alleged haggling of fares, violating the agency’s fare matrix for Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS).

“We at inDrive acknowledge the recent concerns raised by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board regarding our fare system,” the company said in a statement.

“As part of these ongoing improvements, we will be temporarily pausing our service operations. This is a necessary step to ensure that our enhancements are implemented effectively and align with both our users' needs and regulatory standards,” it added.

On Tuesday, the LTFRB temporarily suspended InDrive’s operations until it complied with the fare rates set for TNVS.

The suspension was in response to alleged violations concerning the haggling of fares, which breaches the terms and conditions outlined in its accreditation as a Transportation Network Company.

“We affirm our company’s commitment to provide better alternatives in transportation while ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards, and we are actively collaborating with the authorities towards this end,” inDrive said.

“During our recent engagement with the LTFRB, productive discussions transpired, and we are now in the process of further developing our application to ensure that there is no confusion amongst our users and that they experience the best possible service,” it said.

Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection president Ariel Inton, who filed a complaint against inDrive, said that passengers of inDrive were allegedly asked to make an offer first to the driver, then negotiations or “contracting” of the fare will begin before a booking can be completed.

Haggling of fares is not in the fare system of LTFRB for TNVS, which provides a flag-down, per-distance, per-minute, and surge pricing scheme.

“At inDrive, we strive to achieve 100% user satisfaction and to uphold the best interests of all our users. Our goal is to provide a fair, transparent, and accessible service while upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance and user satisfaction,” inDrive said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News