inDrive returns after 5-month suspension, complies with LTFRB rules

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Ride-hailing firm inDrive on Friday announced the resumption of its operations in the Philippines, five months after it was suspended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) over violations of the agency’s fare matrix.

At a press conference in Quezon City, inDrive Business Development manager for Southeast Asia Afanasii Petrov said the company got the official go signal to resume ride-hailing services “end of May.”

“We have provided proof of compliance with regulatory requirements and assurance we are fully compliant now,” Petrov said.

To recall, in late January, the LTFRB suspended inDrive’s operation amid haggling of fares, which violated the terms and conditions outlined in its accreditation as a Transport Network Company.

Haggling of fares is not in the fare system of LTFRB for Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), which provides a flag-down, per-distance, per-minute, and surge pricing scheme.

The suspension was in effect until the company complies with the LTFRB’s fare system for the TNVS industry.

“Now we are fully compliant,” Petrov said.

The inDrive official said the company’s ride-hailing services are now available in six cities, namely Metro Manila, Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo, Butuan, and Cagayan de Oro.

Petrov said inDrive is also planning to expand to other key areas in the country such as Cebu, Davao, and Pampanga.

“We are excited to resume operations here in the Philippines. Filipinos need more options for ride-hailing as much as drivers need more sources of income,” he said.

Petrov said inDrive will implement a 0% commission in the first two to six months of its operations, after which it will only charge a 10% commission rate from its driver-partners.

The ride-hailing company also signed a memorandum of understanding with Laban TNVS to ensure the welfare of drivers are protected.

“Our members will benefit from the partnership, especially since inDrive has the lowest service charge in the market. Now, our partner drivers can take home more of their earnings to their families,” said Laban TNVS president Jun de Leon.

inDrive, in a news release, said it avoids using algorithms to determine riding fares and implementing surge charges, adding that its “peer-to-peer” business model remains the same, “promoting the freedom of choice among its users.”

Petrov said inDrive allows passengers to choose their driver and vice versa.

He said passengers can browse through the driver's rating, car model, and history on the road before accepting the ride.

As for drivers, they may choose their passengers by checking their profiles and desired routes to their destination.

Both parties may also share their ride details with their families and friends, covering the route, details about the driver, passenger, vehicle, and the real-time trip status, according to inDrive.

As inDrive hits the Philippine roads again, the platform said it will only operate four-seaters in the meantime as it plans to launch taxi and six-seater services in the near future.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

This article inDrive returns after 5-month suspension, complies with LTFRB rules was originally published in GMA News Online.