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The Philippines
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Philippines fines Singapore ride-hailing operator Grab, orders refunds

  • Since Grab took over Uber’s operations in the Philippines last year, the country’s antitrust watchdog has been monitoring its activities

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The Grab logo is displayed on the windshield of a GrabTaxi. Photo: Bloomberg
dpa
A Philippine government agency on Monday fined Singapore-based ride-hailing company Grab 23.45 million pesos (US$461,870) for breaching pricing commitments in the first year since it took over operations of its main competitor, Uber.

The fines include refunds worth 5.05 million pesos (US$99,400) to its passengers for overcharges, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said.

Since Grab merged with Uber in March 2018 and took over its operations in the Philippines, the antitrust watchdog has been monitoring its activities to ensure fair pricing, good service and non-exclusivity among its drivers.

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“The PCC has resolved to impose a total fine of 23.45 million pesos on Grab for breaching its pricing commitments during the first to third quarters of the initial undertaking,” the body said in a statement.

Signage for Uber and Grab are displayed outside a building in Singapore. Photo: Bloomberg
Signage for Uber and Grab are displayed outside a building in Singapore. Photo: Bloomberg
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Part of the fines will be refunded through a “disgorgement system wherein Grab shall return to its riders its commissions” in excess of a system-wide average fare cap, which restricts price increases to 22.5 per cent in most months.

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