By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Aug. 20 (PNA) — Ride-sharing service Uber on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to approve the company’s application as a Transport Network Company (TNC).
“We are pleased to announce that Uber’s TNC accreditation was formally granted on Aug. 19 (Wednesday). It was a historic day not just for Uber and the Philippines, but for the entire transportation industry and every Filipino commuter,” Uber said on its official Facebook account.
“We are proud that our pioneering ride-sharing service has been formally recognized as a key part of the land transportation system in the Philippines by the authorities,” it added.
Uber, meanwhile, has vowed to ensure that its partner-drivers fulfill all the requirements under the Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) transport category, which it falls under.
Vehicles under the TNVS category will be required to install global positioning system (GPS) devices screen. Its drivers will 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.
Four categories were developed to modernize the country’s transport services. Aside from TNVS, the other categories 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”. That carry a Php200,000 fine under the LTFRB-LTO Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01.
Phased-approach
Currently, Uber said that TNVS applications are being submitted on a daily basis to LTFRB and that it is using a phased approach for its partners’ TNVS application submissions due to the volume of drivers on its platform.
“Many of our partner-drivers depend on Uber for a living, and we are working with them to finalize their submissions as quickly as possible in close consultation and with the guidance of the LTFRB, to ensure all driver partners are fully accredited,” Uber noted.
Uber thanked its passengers for their support and for helping the company “#ýUberOn”.
“Your love and continued support will be crucial to the success of ridesharing as a safe, efficient, and reliable transportation option in the Philippines,” the company said. (PNA)