Grab and other transport network company (TNC) drivers protested in front of LTFRB in Quezon City on February 17 to demand that the agency require the said companies to shoulder fare discounts for students and senior citizens. The action was led by the Malayang TNVS Movement.

Last December, a Senate hearing revealed that GRAB and other TNCs were passing on [to the drivers] the required fare discounts for students and seniors using their service. According to the law, a 20% discount must be given to a senior citizen, aged 60 and above, as well as students and persons with disabilities.

Instead of shouldering these discounts, companies like Grab, Joyride and GET Express pass on more than 60% of it to the drivers, which is a significant cut to their earnings. Grab also passes on half of the discounts for students and PWDs to its drivers. Grab even reasoned that passing on the discount is in accordance with a memo from LTFRB because vehicles under Grab are considered public transportation.

On the other hand, nine other TNCs said that their respective companies fully shoulder these discounts.

In January, LTFRB promised to issue a circular to obligate Grab and other TNCs to shoulder these discounts.

The drivers call for the immediate release of this circular, and to return to them their lost earnings from the months they shouldered the discounts.