It is good to hear that the order of the LTFRB to start apprehending Grab and Uber drivers without franchises will temporarily not push through on July 26. According to the agency, more than 50,000 vehicles are operating illegally. The two companies were recently fined five million pesos each due to their violation of LTFRB policy. Both transport network companies (TNC) will be allowed to operate their vehicles, but that does not necessarily mean that the crackdown stops. Talks will still be made to address all issues.
At present, the LTFRB is rushing the process of eleven thousand franchises. LTFRB still blames the two companies for the supposed mess. They continued to accept applicants despite the LTFRB suspending all franchise applications last year. That may well be true, but the LTFRB also needs to look into their franchise process. If they are rushing the process now, then it proves that it was slow to begin with.
There is no argument that many prefer to use TNCs, as the service is way better than regular taxis. It may be more expensive, but if one can afford it, it is no longer an issue.
We all know the horror stories from riding in taxis –rude, arrogant even dangerous drivers, drivers that choose destinations, not being given the correct change and so on. As long as there is no solution to better public transportation, TNCs will remain popular.
Many criticized the LTFRB for zeroing in on companies that actually provide good public service. Why single out the TNCs, when there are many other public transportation vehicles guilty of more infractions?
For the LTFRB to say that all they want it to make TNCs safer for the public by enforcing its rules, meaning the franchises, is a bit farfetched. How many public buses have been involved in deadly accidents because of poor maintenance, and how many TNC vehicles have been involved in the same?
Again, it seems to all boil down to the bureaucracy. If the issue is the franchising of all TNC vehicles or drivers, then doesn’t that sit squarely on the shoulders of the LTFRB? Why did they suspend applications, if there was a clear need for more ride-sharing vehicles on the road?
It is obvious from the reaction of the public that TNCs are the way to go, in the absence of a more efficient means of public transportation. As has been often said, why fix something that is not broken?
We can only hope that all parties involved sit down and thresh out the issues as soon as possible. If granting franchises is the issue, then that’s what should be ironed out.
The public can only benefit from a quick resolution of this problem. Isn’t that what public service should do?