LTFRB Revives Pickup Fares for Ride-Hailing Services

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will restore fixed pickup fares for ride-hailing services, saying the measure would help address rising operating costs while limiting unpredictable fare surges for commuters. LTFRB Chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said reviving the pickup fare seeks to balance commuter welfare with drivers’ concerns. “The revival of the pickup fare implementation will serve both ends,” he said in a statement on Sunday. Under Memorandum Circular No. 2026-059, the pickup fee will depend on the distance traveled by a driver before reaching a passenger. Hatchback units will charge P24 within one kilometer, rising to P120 within five kilometers, while sedan, SUV and premium units will have higher rates. The LTFRB also ordered transport network companies to cap the matching radius at five kilometers, disclose the pickup fee before booking confirmation and include it in the fare breakdown. The board earlier capped booking fees for app-based taxis at 20% of the approved fare or P60, whichever is lower. — Ashley Erika O. Jose