Grab Philippines head Brian Cu INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
The Transport Network Company Grab Philippines opted to remove its two P2 per minute charge on trips since 12 midnight on Friday, after being bombarded with complaints on social media, some of which went viral, regarding expensive trips.
With this development, Grab fares are only based on the base fare, per kilometer fare, and surge pricing. Grab Philippines head Brian Cu reasoned in a television interview that while they would rather retain the additional charge, the company chose to do away with it for the meantime to avoid suspension.
Grab is set to file a motion for reconsideration to reinstate the said extra charge.
Further problems for Grab
Recently, Filipino netizens complained of Grab’s poor service in terms of app effectivity and service quality. Social media users also raised the issue of unprocessed applications of the mandated 20% student discount for public trips.
READ: Grab passengers lament poor service, drivers bemoan faulty system
According to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on Economic Affairs, these discounts have been enjoyed by students who preferred Uber when it was still operational.
“Unfortunately, this is another example of how the monopoly in the TNVS sector is negatively impacting commuters. Access to affordable transportation is essential to upholding the students’ right to education,” Gatchalian said.
“I am urging the LTFRB to look into the issue and endure that Grab takes immediate action on these applications,” he added.
On the other hand, newly approved ride-hailing service HirNa commented on Grab’s statement, saying that Grab considers its drivers as their client and, unfortunately, not their riders.
“Kung talaga pong sinabi niya yon, nakakatakot, kasi at the end of the day it’s the consumers or passengers ang first priority, kasi it’s the passenger who needs to be uplifted (sic),” HirNa Chief Executive Officer Francisco Mauricio said.
(If he really said that, it’s scary because at the end of the day it’s the consumers or passengers are the first priority, because it’s the passenger who needs to be given service.)
Inquirer.net is still seeking a comment from Grab on the statement of HirNa, but its representatives remain unavailable as of posting time. With reports from Radyo Inquirer/ Donabelle Dominguez-Cargullo / jpv
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