U-Hop ready to comply with DOTr order

With the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) now authorized to set the fares charged by transport network companies (TNCs), an industry player was hopeful of hammering out a compromise that would regulate prevailing fare prices without affecting drivers’ incomes.

“We will fully comply with the order but we will also see what the bracket [for the fare structure] will be. Hopefully, we can find a middle ground where you can control the fluctuating prices and better service the [riding public without] negatively [affecting] our driver-partners,” Jayjay Viray, u-Hop vice president for special projects, said on Tuesday.

Second largest TNC

With 10,000 vehicles, u-Hop is the second largest among seven TNCs in the country. It competes with ride-hailing giant Grab and local players Go Lag, Hirna, Hype, Owto and Micab.

Until Monday, these TNCs were allowed to set their own fare rates subject to LTFRB oversight under Department Order 2015-11.

But a new order signed by Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade gave the LTFRB full power to regulate and supervise TNCs and the transport network vehicle services under them.