After Uber, LTFRB eyes other taxi service operators

MANILA, Philippines - After apprehending a partner driver of Uber, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is training its sights on other taxi service providers, LTFRB chair Winston Ginez said yesterday. 

The LTFRB chair cried foul over criticisms, especially in social media, that the government was resisting innovation. 

“It appears that we are stopping or cannot keep up with technology but that’s not the case,” Ginez said, adding that the government is not against technology but taxi service providers should operate within the law.

While the board is open to meeting with representatives of Uber, Ginez said they would not back down on their argument that such service providers should use franchised vehicles.

These providers should either partner with existing franchised taxicabs or stop operating, Ginez said. 

The LTFRB chair likened Uber’s operation to the work of a “barker” at a terminal. He noted that while there was nothing wrong with the operation, it should involve vehicles that have existing franchises, lest it be apprehended for colorum violation.

Ginez said the board is reviewing the operation of other “mobile apps” like Easy Taxi and Grab Taxi.

The difference between these two and Uber is that they partnered with franchised taxi units, he said. 

According to Ginez, their concern over the operations of Easy Taxi and Grab Taxi is the additional charge they impose on top of the taxi fare. 

Ginez said they will study whether this needs to be regulated. 

“These (innovations in transportation services) are all new. There has been no precedent case,” he said.

But Ginez said there should be no mistake on the need to follow the franchise law.

Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 recently released by the LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office imposes higher fines on traffic violations, including colorum operations. Colorum operation for taxicabs is punishable with P200,000. 

Earlier, Uber regional manager for Southeast Asia and Australia Mike Brown expressed disappointment over the LTFRB’s action against the technology service “that is better for riders, drivers and the community.”

Brown said Uber has been embraced in 222 cities in 45 countries.