The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has asked Joyride Ecommerce Technologies Corp. to explain its alleged excessive fares contrary to the current guidelines covering the transport network vehicle service (TNVS).
Based on an anonymous complaint submitted to the LTFRB, Joyride was found to be charging P1,000 representing a one-way ride that included a “Priority Boarding Fee.”
The LTFRB also wrote warning letters to other accredited transport network companies (TNCs) — E-pick Me Up, Ipara, My Taxi PH (Grab) and Cloud Panda — although it has not received a complaint against them.
In a letter dated May 24, 2022, Joyride was directed to submit a written explanation to the LTFRB as to why its accreditation will not be suspended and/or revoked, within 10 days from receipt of the letter.
Noli Eala, Joyride PH senior vice president for corporate affairs, admitted the company has a priority fee on its app which is optional that customers can freely add to the total fare of the booking.
Eala said it is an industry term and practice in case a customer would like to tip or incentivize a driver-partner in advance.
The company submitted a letter to the LTFRB last May 27 explaining it is compliant with the fare structure set by the LTFRB guidelines. The clarification was subsequently acknowledged by the LTFRB through email on May 30, 2022. – Myla Iglesias
