Poe calls out ride-hailing apps over failure to reduce commissions

FPJ Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe has called out motorcycle taxi firms for failing to deliver on their promise to cut their 20% commission rate to allow their drivers to earn more amid surging oil prices.  

Poe cited the firms’ statement during the Legislative Energy Action Development (LEAD) Committee hearing on Monday where they vowed to cut their commissions.

Poe cited that Angkas committed to cut its take from 20% to 15%, Grab from 20% to 18%, Joyride from 20% to 15%, Move It from 20% to 15%, and InDrive from 10% to 1% percent.

“We didn't mandate you to make these price cuts. You said on the floor under oath in your own initiative that you were making these price cuts para sa bayan and we accepted it,” Poe said during the LEAD hearing.

“As soon as I posted, I got 1,900 comments, photos, screenshots, showing commission rates of 20.8%, 23.4%, and 23.1%. That's even higher than what was said to be your commission. I would like to believe that there's an explanation for all of this from each of the ride-hailing platforms kasi naniniwala ako na they really have the best interest of their riders at heart,” Poe added.

Rico Meneses of Joyride, in response, said that the reduction of commission is proportionate to the number of trips that a rider can make to ensure that there is enough fleet to be of service to the public.

“The adjustment of 15% are for those who are to do 13 trips in a day. On top of that reduced commission, we give additional incentives [for our riders]," Meneses said.

Carlo Castro, head of Public Affairs for Angkas, agreed that the reduction of commission is subject to the number of rides to ensure that there are enough riders for the commuting public.

“For us, from 20%, the commission will go down to 15% after eight rides (trips). As the number of trips increases, it could go down as much as 0%. That is so we balance the interest of the riders who are going full-time and those who are doing the job part-time,” Castro said.

“It will go down to 0% after the 25th ride,” Castro added.—AOL, GMA News