Terms & Conditions and Privacy Notice

By creating a JeepFareQR account, you ("the Passenger") agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. Please read them carefully. If you do not agree, do not create an account.

1. Definitions

• "System" — JeepFareQR, the QR-based fare management system.
• "Operator" — the jeepney operator/administrator managing vehicles, routes, and fare settings.
• "Driver" — an accredited jeepney driver registered in the System.
• "Passenger" — a registered user who rides and pays fares via the System.
• "Virtual Balance" — a stored-value credit in the Passenger's account used only for fares within this System.

2. Acceptance and Eligibility

• You must be at least 13 years old, or have verifiable parental/guardian consent, to register.
• You must provide true, accurate, and current information (name, email, phone).
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password.

3. System Rules

• Scan to Board / Alight. You must scan the jeepney's QR poster twice — once upon boarding and once upon alighting — to correctly compute your fare.
• Fare Computation. Fares are computed automatically from the route's distance matrix (base fare + per-km rate, rounded to the nearest ₱0.25). The Operator may update the fare formula at any time in compliance with LTFRB rules.
• Mandated Discounts. Students, Senior Citizens, and Persons with Disability (PWD) are entitled to the 20% discount under RA 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act), RA 10754 (PWD), and applicable LTFRB issuances, after verification of a valid ID or Certificate of Registration.
• Virtual Balance. You must have sufficient balance before alighting. Trips with insufficient balance are flagged and recorded as unpaid.
• No Sharing of Accounts. Your account and personal QR ID are for your exclusive use.
• Internet Connection Required. The System processes every scan live against the server. An active internet connection is required to board, alight, and process fares. When connectivity is unavailable, the scanner will pause and display an offline notice; no fare is charged until the scan reaches the server.
• GPS-Assisted Stop Detection. The Driver's mobile device may use location services (GPS) to suggest the nearest route stop. The Driver remains responsible for confirming or overriding the suggested stop. Location data is used only for stop determination during an active shift and is not used for continuous tracking, marketing, or any purpose outside the fare calculation.

4. Balance Top-ups

• Top-ups are approved by the Operator. You will receive GCash or Maya payment details after approval.
• You must submit a valid reference number and receipt. Falsified receipts may result in account suspension.
• Approved top-ups are final. Reversals are only made for proven system or operator errors.
• The Virtual Balance is not a bank deposit, earns no interest, and is only usable within the System.

5. Complaints, Feedback, and Fair Resolution

• You may file a complaint within the System. The Operator will investigate both sides (Passenger and Driver) before issuing a verdict.
• Verdicts are decided based on evidence and system records. Refunds may be issued to your Virtual Balance for upheld complaints.
• You may appeal a verdict once within 7 days. False or malicious complaints may affect your account standing.

6. Data Privacy Notice (RA 10173)

In compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173), its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and the issuances of the National Privacy Commission, we inform you that:

• Data collected: name, email, phone number, username, encrypted password (bcrypt), government-issued ID number (encrypted at rest with AES-256), discount documents (if applying for a discount), transaction history, complaint history, login and audit records, and — for drivers only — device geolocation while on duty.
• Purpose: to authenticate your account, compute fares, apply mandated discounts, process top-ups, resolve complaints, and comply with audit and regulatory requirements.
• Legal basis: your consent (given at registration), performance of the fare-service contract, and compliance with legal obligations.
• Storage & protection: data is stored in a secured database with role-based access, encrypted sensitive fields, hashed passwords, and a full audit log of all access to sensitive records.
• Retention: account data is retained while your account is active and for the period required by law. Audit logs are retained as required by law.
• Sharing: your personal data is not sold or shared with third parties. Only the Operator's authorized staff have access, and only for the purposes above.
• Your rights: the right to be informed, to object, to access, to rectify, to erase or block, to damages, and to data portability. You may exercise these by contacting the Operator.
• Complaints: you may lodge a complaint with the National Privacy Commission (privacy.gov.ph).

7. Fair Treatment of Drivers (Disclosure Notice)

Because complaints involve another data subject (the Driver), the System does not disclose to you the Driver's full name, license number, contact details, or the specific disciplinary action imposed. Instead, you are informed of the outcome (verdict, severity, category of action taken, and any refund credited to you). This protects the Driver's rights under RA 10173 while preserving your right to know that due process was followed.

8. Prohibited Conduct

• Providing false identity documents or forged GCash/Maya receipts.
• Filing malicious or knowingly false complaints.
• Sharing your account or QR ID.
• Interfering with, reverse-engineering, or attacking the System.
• Using the System for money laundering or any illegal purpose (see RA 9160, AMLA).

9. Suspension and Termination

• The Operator may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, at its reasonable discretion, after notice where practicable.
• Accounts suspended for serious violations may be permanently deleted after the waiting period prescribed by the Operator.
• You may request deletion of your account at any time, subject to retention obligations required by law.

10. Limitation of Liability

The System is provided on a best-efforts basis. To the extent permitted by law, the Operator is not liable for indirect or consequential damages arising from network outages, device failures, or force majeure. Nothing in this clause waives rights you may have under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394).

11. Electronic Documents (RA 8792)

Under the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (RA 8792), your electronic acceptance, registration, scan events, transactions, and refund entries are valid and legally binding electronic documents. Audit logs generated by the System may be presented as evidence.

12. Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. Any dispute shall be brought before the appropriate courts of the Operator's registered place of business, without prejudice to remedies available before the LTFRB, the National Privacy Commission, or the Department of Trade and Industry.

13. Changes to These Terms

The Operator may update these Terms. Material changes will be announced within the System. Continued use after changes means you accept them.

14. Contact

For questions, requests to access/rectify/erase your data, or to exercise your rights under RA 10173, contact the Operator through the contact details published inside the System.

This document is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. The Operator should have these Terms reviewed by qualified counsel before production use.