Uber, Grab vow compliance to LTFRB over price surges

Taxi drivers wait for passengers. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/Richard Reyes

Transport network companies Grab and Uber have vowed to cooperate with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) over the reported surge in their rates this holiday season.

This was after the LTFRB on Saturday warned the ride-sharing applications to suspend their accreditation “if these unreasonable surges will persist.”

READ: Uber, Grab warned vs ‘unreasonable’ surge in rates

In a statement, Uber said it has been in constant dialogues with the LTFRB since July to “find workable solutions to meet the increasing demand for ridesharing options and avoid price increases brought about by disproportionate supply and demand.”

“We support policies that require rides to be clear and upfront with consumers about the trip fare. We also continue to invest in technological solutions like UberPOOL and UberHOP, to help reduce traffic congestion by getting more people into fewer cars while providing more affordable fares,” Uber said.

Grab said it will “fully comply to LTFRB’s requests and directives,” adding that it will voluntarily place a cap in its service rates from Dec. 24, 2016 to Jan. 30, 2017 “to ensure that the riding public will get the best service during this season.”

“For our passengers, may we request that you double check your pickup and dropoff points before confirming your booking. However, we are ready to refund rides, upon verification, should they be charged for any incorrect rate caused by a system error,” Grab added.

LTFRB on Saturday said it received complaints against Uber and Grab where the surge supposedly ranged from P2,000 to P28,000. JE