By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Aug. 20 (PNA) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday awarded ride-sharing service companies GrabCar and Uber partners their provisional authorities (PA) to operate a Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS).
This was after LTFRB approved both GrabCar’s and Uber’s application as a Transport Network Company (TNC) earlier this week.
“LTFRB approves Uber’s application for accreditation as TNC. Uber partners may now file their application for franchise for TNVS,” said LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez on his official Twitter account.
To recall, LTFRB last week gave ride-sharing service companies only until Aug. 20 to file accreditation and secure a franchise. Uber falls under the Department of Transportation and Communications’ (DOTC) TNVS category.
Vehicles under the TNVS category will be required to install global positioning system (GPS) devices screen. Its drivers will meanwhile be required to issue e-receipts, and secure passenger insurances under LTFRB.
Also under the TNVS category, vehicles should not be older than seven years. Only sedans, Asian Utility Vehicles, Sports Utility Vehicles, vans, or similar vehicles will be allowed.
Aside from TNVS, the three other categories developed to modernize the country’s transport services are Premium Taxi, Airport Bus, and Bus Rapid Transit. These categories began implementation last May.
LTFRB last week warned Uber and similar ride-sharing services that if they fail to file accreditation before Aug 20, the Board will start cracking down and treating their vehicles as “colorum” vehicles. That carry a Php 200,000 fine under the LTFRB-LTO Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01. (PNA)