Nelson Morales

Ride-hailing apps hit for not cutting commissions amid fuel crisis

Motorists pass by the Ortigas intersection on Meralco Avenue in Pasig City on June 17, 2025. The intersection is part of the MMDA's No Contact Apprehension system for handling traffic violations. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — Ride-hailing apps were questioned at the House of Representatives for supposedly not fulfilling their commitment to lower commissions amid the fuel price crisis.According to House Assistant Majority Leader Brian Poe, platforms such as JoyRide, Angkas, and Move It previously vowed to slash commissions deducted from riders by at least five percentage points.As for apps for four-wheel vehicle rides, Grab’s commitment to adjustment was to go down to 18 percent from 20 to 21 percent. InDrive, meanwhile, talked about maintaining 10 percent, which it said was already among the lowest in the market. But information Poe obtained from customers showed commissions were at 20 percent or over for platforms such as JoyRide, Move It, Angkas, and Grab.“We didn&#x27;t mandate you to make these price cuts. You said on the floor under oath in your own initiative that you were making these price cuts para sa bayan,” Poe told transport network vehicle service (TNVS) providers during a hearing at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.Platforms such as Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It explained they have a tiered system for commissions, meaning the percentage deducted from riders would depend on the number of rides given.According to JoyRide’s Jerico Meneses, the commission is down to 15 percent for those who make 13 trips in a day in order to motivate them to work under “public service.”“Mayroon po kami for 13 trips every day, 15 percent… Para to make sure lang na talagang ginagawa nila yung public service na magserbisyo,” Meneses told lawmakers.But House Committee on Ways and Means Chairperson Miro Quimbo asked JoyRide to make the 15 percent commission applicable to all motorists.“Ipu-push po namin ‘yan and gagawin po namin ‘yan if ever. I would just need to– hindi lang kasi ako lang ang may-ari ng Joyride. Pag-uwing pag-uwi po namin dito, aayusin po namin ‘yan,” Meneses replied.Move It’s Wayne Jacinto said they would like to decrease the percentage altogether, but they are also thinking about the welfare of riders as they provide insurance.“Gusto naman po naming ibaba, kaya lang, siyempre, iniisip din po namin ‘yung kapakanan ng mga riders namin dahil nagpo-provide po kami ng libreng insurance, accident insurance, libreng life insurance kasi po naniniwala kami na ang buhay ng rider, kung ano man ang mangyari, hindi po magtutuloy ang buhay ng pamilya,” Jacinto said.Atty. Carlo Castro of Angkas explained that they give incentives to those who treat the platform as its primary source of income, meaning riders could end up with no deduction from fees at all if they do 25 rides.“Sino ang dapat nating mas bigyan ng incentive? Dapat unahin natin ‘yung pangunahing hanapbuhay nila ay ‘yung plataporma,” Castro said.InDrive, meanwhile, said that under its “Purple Zone” initiative, the commission goes down to 1 percent in select high-demand areas to support drivers during peak hours. Poe, meanwhile, explained they are only asking to lower percentages for all riders temporarily, adding the crisis explains the need for some to look for additional income.“Marami sa mga riders natin, siyempre, hindi ito ‘yung sole work nila. Additional income lang po ito– ‘yung mga iba, solo parent, they can only go out for what– three, four rides. Hindi sila makaka-avail ng lower percentages. Kaya in this time, we&#x27;re not naman asking that the percentages remain low forever,” Poe said.<div>COMMITMENT TO LOWER TO 18%</div>Angkas CEO George Royeca later committed to lowering commission to 18 percent from 20 percent. “After discussing po with the Angkas team and in consultation with 1-Rider party-list Cong. Rodge Gutierrez and FPJ party-list Cong. Brian Llamanzares, we will lower po our commission para sa lahat ng aming bikers from 20 percent down to 18 percent while still maintaining the tiered commission scheme of 15 percent up to zero percent as added incentives of our bikers during the crisis,” Royeca told members of Congress.“On top of this po, mayroon po tayong gas and food vouchers, as well as additional discounts with gas station partners,” Royeca added.A number of TNVS providers earlier said they would get back to lawmakers within the day about lowering the base rate for all riders.

Ride-hailing apps were questioned at the House of Representatives for supposedly not fulfilling their commitment to lower commissions amid the fuel price crisis.

Ride-hailing apps were questioned at the House of Representatives for supposedly not fulfilling their commitment to lower commissions amid the fuel price crisis.