A commuter checks their Green GSM app receipt. Since April 14, 2026, users have reported a tiered "booking fee" that only appears after a trip is completed: ₱19 for short trips (<6 km), ₱29 for medium trips (6-12 km), and ₱39 for long hauls. Because the fee was implemented without a prior in-app disclaimer, many passengers are refusing to pay, often forcing drivers to absorb the cost from their own earnings to avoid conflict.
Lack of notice leaves drivers absorbing passenger frustration.
Commuters booking Green GSMtaxis are now paying an additional “booking fee,” causing confusion and frustration after what they say is its sudden, unannounced implementation.
This week, users noticed that an additional fee has been applied to app-booked trips, with rates based on distance traveled: ₱19 (less than 6km), ₱29 (6–12km), and ₱39 (more than 12km). The base metered fare remains unchanged, but the total shown on receipts is now higher due to the added charge.
Drivers caught in the middle
Passengers complain that there was no clear advisory inside the app before booking, leaving them surprised when the final cost appeared only after completing the trip. Drivers are also feeling the pressure, with some saying they are being asked to cover the booking fee when passengers refuse to pay, raising concerns about how the system is implemented on the ground.
Reports indicate that the booking fee is separate from the driver’s income and is tied only to app bookings. But despite the added cost, some riders say they continue to use the service because of limited alternatives, noting that other ride-hailing options can still be more expensive.
No warning, just a higher bill. Green GSM passengers are reporting a new “booking fee” appearing on their receipts, with charges reaching up to ₱39. See how this sudden update is affecting commuters and leaving drivers to foot the bill for frustrated riders.
John Lloyd is a journalist by trade and a House Stark loyalist at heart. He writes all things business and tech—with bits of Spanish and chess on the side.