LTFRB to issue rules on common TNC drivers’ pool

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will issue this month a memorandum circular (MC) that will allow drivers of ride-sharing vehicles to serve under all transport network companies (TNC).

 “We will release the MC for the common base supply,” LTFRB board member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada told reporters yesterday.

She said there are about 20,000 transport network vehicle service units registered with the LTFRB, which would soon accept applications for TNVS accreditation.

“This common base, we agreed during our TWG (technical working group) meeting, will be subject to review every three months because there is such a thing as churning rate. So if it’s being depleted, then we need to add more supply,” Lizada said.

In July 2016, the Department of Transportation imposed a moratorium on the acceptance of applications for ride-sharing services offered in Metro Manila due to the volume of pending applications for TNVS accreditation.

Uber Philippines general manager Laurence Cua said the ride-share app sees the LTFRB’s plan to issue the MC as a welcome development.

“We’re equally excited to get that lifting up so that we can get on board new vehicles, new partners and new drivers,” he said.

Uber is launching today the rider identification feature that would verify cash-only signups with the app by asking for a Facebook account to ensure the safety of the Uber community.