LTFRB revives fixed pickup rates for ride-app services

File photo MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday announced it was reviving fixed pickup fares for transport network vehicle service (TNVS) to prevent the charging of unauthorized fees to commuters. LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said the revival of Memorandum Circular (MC) 2025-058 aims to provide a “middle ground” for the TNVS sector and commuters. “While commuters’ welfare is a priority, part of our mandate is also to ensure that the concerns of those from the public transportation sectors are heard. In this case, the revival of the pickup fare implementation will serve both ends,” Mendoza said in a press release. Article continues after this advertisement READ: LTFRB imposes price cap on online taxi booking fees The circular, dated Dec. 17, 2025, allowed the ride-hailing services to charge passengers once a booking was accepted, instead of from the pickup point. The LTFRB attributed this to the TNVS drivers’ operational challenges in configuring the platform and dealing with the traffic situation in Metro Manila. READ: DOTr orders halt on onboarding new TNVS drivers, motortaxi riders The circular, which was first implemented from Dec. 20, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026, provided the following fixed rates: —For hatchback/subcompact: price cap of P24 within a one-kilometer radius; P72 (3 km); P96 (4 km); and P120 (5 km). Article continues after this advertisement —Sedan type: P26 (1 km); P52 (2 km), P78 (3 km), P104 (4 km), and P130 (5 km). —AUV/SUV type: P29 (1 km); P58 (2 km); and P145 (5 km). Article continues after this advertisement ‘Availability of rides’ The new MC 2026-059 states that the revival was found reasonable “to prevent service shortages, ensure the availability of rides across all areas, and protect the riding public from unauthorized or improvised pick-up charges.” The LTFRB also directed transportation network companies (TNCs) “to limit the matching radius to five (5) kilometers to minimize passenger waiting time and operational costs.” “No Pick-Up Fare beyond the five (5)-kilometer radius amounts above shall be imposed or collected,” it stated. It further instructed TNCs to: • Clearly and separately show the pickup fare in the fare breakdown displayed to the passenger prior to confirmation of the booking; • Inform the passenger of the total fare, including the pickup fare, before acceptance of the ride; and Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. • Reflect the pickup fare as a distinct line item in the electronic receipt and/ or trip summary issued to the passenger upon completion of the trip. /cb