Probe Joyride’s upfront tipping, group asks authorities

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has acquired a grievance from the Coalition for Filipino Commuters (CFC), which alleged that JoyRide operator We Transfer Issues Philippines Inc. has been purportedly overcharging passengers.

In a letter of grievance addressed to LTFRB Chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III, CFC Lead Convenor Ira Panganiban stated the group is worried concerning the “upfront tipping” characteristic within the JoyRide software for ride-hailing.

“It has come to our consideration that the corporate has carried out an upfront tipping and gifting characteristic on their cellular app, which permits JoyRide drivers to pick the very best bidder earlier than they settle for the reserving. That is executed in each automotive and bike taxi companies. This apply has a extreme impression on commuters, significantly those that can’t afford to pay excessive upfront suggestions, as they’re much less more likely to guide a trip,” the letter learn.

Panganiban added that the upfront cost is “[neither] included nor allowed within the LTFRB’s fare matrix for app-based ride-hailing companies.”

“This characteristic was already penalized by the LTFRB final June 2022 and was disabled by [We Move Things] after a number of commuter complaints. In truth, the LTFRB deployed ‘thriller riders’ final yr and ordered [We Move Things] to right away take away this characteristic from their cellular app,” Panganiban stated.

Calling the characteristic “immoral,” Panganiban stated the CFC is disillusioned that the characteristic is fostering in poor health behaviors for JoyRide drivers, citing complaints that the group has acquired.

“As a transportation and commuter advocate, I consider that this apply is a transparent violation of the rights of commuters. Commuters ought to be capable to guide a trip with out feeling pressured to pay an extra price to safe a trip. The upfront tipping and gifting characteristic is discriminatory towards those that can’t afford to pay excessive upfront suggestions, and it creates an unfair benefit for individuals who can. This unlawful apply goes towards the precept of honest and equal entry to transportation companies,” Panganiban stated.

The CFC urged the LTFRB and the technical working group (TWG) on bike taxis to “examine this matter and put an finish to this apply.”

“JoyRide must be held accountable for his or her actions and must be required to take away the upfront tipping and gifting characteristic from their cellular app,” the group added.

Earlier this week, the LTFRB issued a press release that stated it doesn’t condone overcharging within the bike taxi business. It didn’t identify, nonetheless, a specific transportation community firm that it acquired complaints towards.

“We don’t and we won’t tolerate any violation corresponding to overcharging of fares inside the public transportation system. The fare matrix was crafted to make sure that the fares charged by all public transport operators from commuters no matter car sort are honest and equitable,” Guadiz stated.