LTFRB to Fine TNVS Drivers for Cancelling Bookings They’ve Already Accepted

(SPOT.ph) It’s becoming an all too familiar—and frustrating—experience for commuters: you book a ride, wait it out, and then the driver suddenly cancels. To address the growing number of complaints, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it will penalize Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers who cancel bookings without a valid reason.

Under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2025-055, this behavior is now treated as a form of “refusal to convey passengers,” a violation already covered under Joint Administrative Order 2014-01. A first offense carries a P5,000 fine. A second offense comes with a P10,000 fine and a 30-day impounding of the vehicle. By the third offense, the fine rises to P15,000, along with cancellation of the driver’s Certificate of Public Convenience.

Such penalties have become necessary as LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza warned that the same behavior is likely to become even more widespread during the holiday season.

“Matindi ang epekto ng biglaan at garapalang booking cancellation sa mga TNVS dahil ang pinag-uusapan dito ay kahalagahan ng oras ng mananakay na maaring makompromiso ng ganitong modus,” Mendoza said. “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 tapos bigla-biglang cancel ng walang dahilan?”

Of course, there are some exceptions. Driver-initiated cancellations caused by natural calamities like flooding, legitimate vehicle issues, or problematic passenger behavior are acceptable.

Also read: LTFRB Orders Ride-Hailing Companies to Shoulder 20% Discounts

The memo spells out when cancellations will be penalized, including during cases where drivers cancel to avoid short or less profitable trips, avoid senior citizens or persons with disabilities or other vulnerable sectors, or cancel while already in transit without a valid reason.

What about drivers who ask passengers to cancel the booking for them? LTFRB hasn’t issued a separate rule on this, but the memo makes clear that enforcement is based on how cancellations are logged by the app. That said, trips marked as passenger-initiated may not be punished right away—but repeated (see: suspicious) cancellations can still be seen based on platform records.

For commuters who experience this—whether it’s a sudden driver cancellation or being asked to cancel the booking themselves—the LTFRB said complaints can be reported directly to the agency. Passengers may email complaints@ltfrb.gov.ph or reach the LTFRB’s 24/7 Viber hotline at 0956-761-0739.

Transport network companies (TNCs) are also required to submit monthly reports to the LTFRB. These reports must show how many cancellations were initiated by drivers, passengers, or the system, and drivers with unjustified cancellations, along with the actions taken against them. TNCs that fail to comply will be sanctioned with fines, suspension, or even cancellation of their accreditation.

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