Regulators have ordered a temporary reduction on the additional rates charged by ride-hailing services or transport network vehicle services (TNVS) during the Christmas and New Year rush.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it issued Memorandum Circular 2025-056 on Friday, December 12, adjusting the computation of surge pricing from December 17 until January 4, 2026.
“We heard the complaints and we also feel the sentiments raised by those in the TNVS sector that is why we immediately acted on this in response to the instruction of President (Bongbong) Marcos and Secretary (Giovanni) Lopez to come up with the guideline on the computation of TNVS fares,” LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza said.
Under existing rules, surge pricing must not exceed twice the base fare and should stay within the B+C formula of the TNVS fare matrix—covering the per kilometer and per minute travel time rates.
For sedan-type TNVS, the current rates include a ₱45 flagdown, ₱15 per kilometer, and ₱2 per minute of travel time. In a sample trip covering five kilometers in 10 minutes, the surge price must not go beyond ₱95, according to the LTFRB.
The circular also bars transportation network companies from collecting commissions or service fees derived from the surge price during the implementation period.
The LTFRB said the measure aims to balance commuter protection and fair compensation for drivers amid increased holiday demand.