Lalamove Ride eases surge pricing, implements 0% commission until Jan. 4, 2026

Lalamove announced Thursday it is easing surge pricing for Lalamove Ride commuters and implementing a 0% commission on drivers' fare during the holiday season.

"In support of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recent directives for TNVS and TNC operators, Lalamove has decided to implement a 0% commission on the entire fare for our TNVS partner drivers and ease surge pricing for Lalamove Ride commuters so rides can be more accessible to everyone as they celebrate the holidays, with the commission offer available to TNVS Drivers until January 4, 2026," it said in a statement.

Lalamove Ride is the ride-hailing service of Lalamove.

The LTFRB has imposed a surge pricing cap for transport network vehicle services (TNVS) starting Saturday, December 20, until January 4, 2026.

Earlier, the LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular No. 2025-056 which prescribed the reduction of the surge pricing cap for TNVS operations amid complaints from passengers and other commuters’ groups over “unreasonable” fare increases in ride-hailing services.

Sample computation

Under its memorandum, the LTFRB set parameters on how the surge price should be computed. It stated that the surge pricing must not exceed the B+C TNVS Fare Matrix.

The B in the memo refers to the per kilometer per rate while the C refers to the per minute charge of the TNVS.

Currently, the hatchback and sub-compact has a flagdown rate of P35, sedan with P45, Asian utility vehicle with P55 and premium with P145 flagdown rate.

The per kilometer rate for hatchback and sub-compact is P13, sedan with P15, AUV with P18 and premium with P36 per kilometer charge.

All of them have a rate of P2 per minute travel time except for premium with P4.

In the new memo, the LTFRB set a sample computation in order to clear things up with both the passengers and TNVS.

If a car/sedan TNVS traveled five kilometers and the travel time is 10 minutes, passengers should pay P75 for the per kilometer rate and P20 for 10-minute travel time – for a total of P95, plus the flag down rate of P45.

Therefore, the LTFRB said the price surging must not exceed P95 for car/sedan TNVS since the basic computation in the MC 2025-056 should not exceed the B (per kilometer rate) +C (per minute travel time) in the TNVS Fare Matrix. 

Fixed pick-up fare

The LTFRB on Wednesday also approved a fixed pick-up fare system for ride-hailing services during the peak of the holiday season, a move the agency said is meant to balance passenger protection with fair compensation for drivers amid heavy traffic.

In a memorandum circular issued on December 17, the LTFRB said fares for TNVS will now begin once a driver accepts a booking, instead of only from the actual passenger pick-up point.

The new fare scheme also took effect on December 20 and will be in force until January 4, 2026. —KG, GMA Integrated News