Grab denies LTFRB allowed them to double fare for bookings outside Metro Manila

Grab Philippines on Wednesday denied that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has authorized them to double their charges for bookings made outside Metro Manila.

Brian Cu, head of Grab Philippines, made the clarification during a press briefing in reaction to the social media post of motoring journalist James Deakin regarding a message from a supposed Grab driver asking for extra charge.

"No. That's false. Nakita ko rin 'yon, ipinadala rin sa akin 'yon. That message is not from Grab, it's not endorsed by Grab. That message was crafted by probably one or two of the driver partners then shared across. But the message is not from us," Cu said.

"Ang rule po natin is what the fare is, is the fare. That's the rule. Walang dagdag, walang bawas."

In his Facebook post, Deakin emphasized that Grab's purpose is to "remove the negotiations and allow the app to do its job."

Cu said they are addressing the drivers who are doubling the price for bookings outside Metro Manila, although he said he understands these drivers' sentiments.

"Of the fares outside Metro Manila, I think for a rational rider, gusto ko lang sanang itanong, naiintindihan niyo ba kung bakit ito hinihingi ng driver? Kasi walang pabalik. When I speak to drivers lalo na 'pag pinatawag na namin sila, kasi nga nahuhuli nga silang nago-overecharge, ang kadalasan na dahilan ay walang pabalik."

Cu said they are already working out on solutions to address the problem. "The way to solve that is two things. Technology and a more flexible pricing regime for transport," he said.

"Imagine if the fare going out is justified for a driver considering na wala po siyang pabalik, mas tatanggapin po niya 'yung ride na 'yun. Ngayon kung may nahanap siyang ride pabalik through technology, we can refund the additional na pinatong niya papunta to that passenger that went out of the metro," Cu added.

"That is something that we'll have to work with the LTFRB, with the government and our engineering team para magawa 'yon."

Cu said to simply shut down the app just because of the "undisciplined" drivers will not be favorable to passengers.

"If we just say let's shut it all down or we say let's turn it all off because we can't discipline 10 or 100 drivers, kawawa naman po 'yung 4,000 [na passengers]," he said.

"The easiest is to turn it off, wala nang complaints. Pero it's not a very consumer-centric, not a very passenger-centric approach."

Grab Philippines insisted that it does not tolerate abusive drivers especially those who accept bookings but deliberately delay their arrival at the pick-up point so that the passenger would cancel.

"We don't tolerate that kind of behavior," said Cindy Toh, Grab country marketing head.

Cu said Grab they are imposing sanctions on such drivers as they are monitored through their system regularly.  —KBK, GMA News