Hype denies allegation of fare overcharging

Hype Transport System Inc. president Nicanor Escalante denies the allegation of fare overcharging. Photo credit Faye Orellana / INQUIRER.net

A local transport network company (TNC) denied on Tuesday allegations that it was overcharging its passengers.

“Wala kaming charge na P2. We deny that categorically,” said Nicanor Escalante, Hype Transport System Inc president, following a hearing at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The LTFRB had earlier asked Hype to answer allegations that it allegedly charges its passengers a P2 per minute fare.

READ:  LTFRB asks Hype to explain allegations of overcharging

According to Escalante, it charges its passengers an amount of P1.25, and not the alleged P2.

He added that Hype had submitted a request two months ago on the P1.25 charge.

“Through our letter of May 24, 2018 received by the board May 25 requesting for a P1.25 per minute charge,” Escalante said.

Hype implemented the P1.25 charge on its beta testing operation without the decision of the LTFRB.

Escalante said they rolled out the charge based on the “ease of basing business law” signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in May 2017.

According to the law, Escalante said that “If an application is not acted upon within 20 days, it is deemed approved.”

“We requested not P2 again but P1.25 per minute again to emphasize the fact we don’t want to charge the P2 maintaining affordability,” said Escalante.  /muf