In July 2016, the LTFRB issued a moratorium against new applications for Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), pending some 32,000 applications. Two-thirds of the applications have been dismissed, citing lack of requirements. Around 3,000 applications were approved.
Despite the moratorium, Uber and Grab continued to upload TNVS drivers into their platforms, putting them at risk of operating as ‘colorum’ vehicles. At the hearing last July 11, Uber and Grab admitted to have activated 28,000 partners or drivers each, grossly neglecting the order.
“We cannot set one rule for TNCs and another rule for other PUVs. We don’t want TNCs violating the law for prejudice of TNVS drivers,” said LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III. “Hindi namin iniipit ang TNCs. We support the technology, but if you are not compliant with the law, bring your business somewhere else.” The LTFRB also found out that some of the names of drivers submitted by Uber did not have matching case numbers and actual registered drivers under the LTFRB.
The Board likewise clarified that it has reached out to TNCs several times. The LTFRB is inviting Grab and Uber to be part of a Technical Working Group (TWG) to resolve the issues and hopefully arrive at a win-win solution for the benefit of commuters.
“We engaged TNCs perhaps more often than the others. So, it cannot be said that we don’t support them. To address issues, we will have a TWG because there has to be some level of accountability here,” said Chairman Delgra.
Moving forward, the LTFRB will establish a 1-STOP SHOP for TNVS starting tomorrow, July 19, to process CPCs that are about to expire until end of July 2017. The Board shall likewise issue a Memorandum Circular extending the validity of the CPC from 1 year to 2 years, and shall direct the TNCs to extend their respective accreditation of their TNVS. ###