Following mounting complaints over sudden booking cancellations by online ride-hailing services, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a memorandum circular imposing stricter penalties on Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers.
The move comes in anticipation of the heavy influx of passengers during the Christmas season.
LTFRB Chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II emphasized that cancellations initiated by TNVS drivers are considered a refusal to convey passengers—a violation punishable by fines ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱15,000, vehicle impoundment, and even franchise cancellation.
“This is in response to the numerous complaints of commuters about rampant booking cancellations in areas with traffic jams,” Mendoza said.
He added that the circular reinforces the LTFRB’s mandate to ensure the safety, convenience, and protection of millions of Filipino commuters. Under the directive, any unjustified cancellation of an already accepted and confirmed booking on digital platforms will be treated as refusal to convey passengers.
“This has a big impact on the part of the passenger because what is at stake here is the importance of time. This is also a matter of safety and welfare of the passengers because it involves hope of convenience and all of a sudden, the booking is cancelled. What if it also involves emergency situations?,” he said.
Under the memorandum circular, the cancellation of booking is penalized when it was done to avoid short distance trips or non-profitable trips in favor of higher fare charge; when it involves discrimination especially against senior citizens and PWDs, and other members of vulnerable sector; those that are already in transit without any valid reasons; booking cancellation behavior of TNVS drivers. (Aaron Recuenco)
