By Alec Go
Ride-hailing service Grab is set to get franchises for 100,000 vehicles after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) allowed adding more transport network vehicle service (TNVS) slots to meet the demand in Metro Manila.
The LTFRB’s update came out Friday, following Grab’s investment commitment to the government that may result in 500,000 jobs.
“500,000 new jobs with the creation of 100,000 motor vehicles both in 4-wheeled and the motorcycle taxi. But 100,000 is the initial, hindi naman natin bibiglain lahat ‘yan to prevent saturation in the market,” LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said.
“So initially, 100,000 and increasing further in 3-months’ time. We may increase the number until such time that the number of TNVS matches the needs of the riding public,” he added.
The LTFRB said it is mulling over the grant of franchises to other motor vehicles in Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao.
Two memorandum circulars containing guidelines and driver qualifications have yet to be issued.
“Normal qualifications lang naman ‘yon. Una, Professional Driver’s License at pangalawa, seminar of 15-hours. The seminar is more on road safety to ensure that there would be minimal accident on the road especially motorcycle taxi,” Guadiz said.
