LTFRB: Only registered Grab units can operate

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is cool to the appeal of ridesharing platform Grab to allow the 5,000 drivers deactivated from its system to operate temporarily.

Only transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units registered with the LTFRB can operate, the agency said yesterday.

The LTFRB maintained that it gave the operators and drivers of TNVS units more than ample time to comply with the requirements in applying for a certificate of public convenience (CPC) or provisional authority (PA).

The regulatory body said 40,522 TNVS units have been granted CPC while 29,714 applied for PA to operate.

“This is proof that those who complied with the requirements were given an opportunity to participate in public transport service,” the LTFRB said.

Grab Philippines president Brian Cu on Tuesday urged the LTFRB to allow deactivated drivers to operate temporarily.

“The best scenario for the people is to have more drivers, which results in passenger convenience and less traffic as car owners will just need to hail a ride instead of bringing their cars out,” he said in a statement.

However, the LTFRB said it went the extra mile when it interceded in the loan application of CPC applicants through coordination with banking institutions.

The Department of Transportation said proper registration of TNVS is imperative for the safety of the riding public.

“Acquiring a franchise to operate as a public transport is a privilege, as it carries the responsibility and accountability of safely transporting commuters to their destinations,” the DOTr said.

Grab earlier announced the deactivation of 8,000 TNVS units operating without provisional permit.

The company clarified that only 5,000 TNVS units were deactivated after 3,000 drivers showed proof they have PA to operate.

Grab, meanwhile, urged the LTFRB to allow the pilot testing of hatchbacks as TNVS units.

Hatchbacks are not allowed for public transportation as these are not up to standards based on government regulations. – Richmond Mercurio