THE Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has penalized transport network vehicle services (TNVS) provider Grab Philippines for overcharging its customers and ordered it to refund the P2-per-minute travel charge.

In its order dated July 9, the LTFRB said Grab Philippines should pay a penalty amounting to P10 million and should also reimburse through rebates their customers who were made to pay a P2-per-minute travel charge.

“The rebate will be availed of only for 20 days from the rime the decision becomes final or when the respondent shall commence the implementation of the rebate,” the order reads.

The Grab Philippines is also expected to submit a report of compliance of the decision a week from the time the rebate has been fully implemented or else additional penalties will be meted for non-compliance.

Despite denying overcharging their riders, the Grab suspended in April the charging of P2-per-minute travel fee on top of its P40 flagdown rate following the order of the LTFRB.

The board said the riders were not informed of the P2-per-minute additional travel charge.

The board has conducted hearing on the said matter to identify its validity. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)