MANILA, Aug. 13 (PNA) – Public safety first.
This, according to the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), is the main reason why it decided to begin cracking down on ride-sharing services such as Uber failing to register their franchise before Aug. 20.
To recall, LTFRB earlier this week announced that if Uber does not register before Aug. 20, it will be considered a “colorum” vehicle. This offense carries a PhP 200,000 fine under the LTFRB-LTO (Land Transportation Office) Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01.
Uber falls under the transportation network vehicle service or TNVS category, which is among the four transport categories implemented last May 30 to modernize the country’s transport services.
Aside from TNVS, other transport categories include Premium Taxi, Airport Bus, and Bus Rapid Transit.
LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez this week urged all transport network companies (TNCs) and TNVS to strictly comply with the Board’s Memorandum Circulars (MCs) issued last May.
“We are encouraging all TNCs and TNVS to comply with the Board’s MCs or face apprehension and penalized for operating without the legitimate franchise to transport passengers,” Ginez said.
He noted that while the Board is open to embracing new technology, the priority is still to ensure the public’s safety and convenience by accreditation of qualified TNCs and issuance of franchises to TNVS operators that meet LTFRB’s legal requirements.
Of the current TNCs/TNVS now offering the services, only GrabCar has so far complied with the accreditation process.
To date, Uber has yet to apply and complete the requirements to full accreditation of the LTFRB as a TNC/TNV. (PNA)