Commuters association: Tips before booking is immoral

By EMMIE V. ABADILLA

The Coalition for Filipino Commuters (CFC) on Thursday, May 18, urged the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to stop the "immoral" practice of Joyride, a Transport Network Company (TNC) asking for tips before even booking a ride for customers.

The system forces commuters to provide a tip to a rider before knowing the kind of service the rider can give, creating an unfair bidding atmosphere, according to the coalition's convenor, Ira Panganiban, in a letter of complaint to the LTFRB.

Already, the LTFRB has penalized Joyride for the “upfront tipping” feature in its ride-hailing application last year.

Joyride has disabled the feature after several users complained.

"Riders will always choose the highest tipper making this a premium charge instead," the convenor maintained.

Tips are gifts of appreciation after a service has been provided and the amount reflects the kind of service given and the level of gratitude offered.

There have been prior rules against tipping and the rules should be upheld for the benefit of the poor Filipino commuters, Panganiban reiterated.

The upfront payment is “not included nor allowed in the LTFRB's fare matrix for app-based ride-hailing services”, Panganiban stressed.

CFC urged the LTFRB and the technical working group (TWG) on motorcycle taxis to “investigate this matter and put an end to this practice."

"JoyRide should be held accountable for their actions and should be required to remove the upfront tipping and gifting feature from their mobile app,” according to the coalition.

Earlier this week, the LTFRB issued a statement that said it does not condone overcharging in the MC taxi industry. However, it did not name a TNC.