MANILA, Philippines — Grab Philippines has deactivated around 15,000 driver accounts from their system since January.
Grab President Brian Cu said Tuesday that most of these accounts were deactivated due to the drivers’ failure to provide documentation papers from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
According to Grab, there were 10,000 active and inactive drivers deactivated from the system from January to May 2019 or some 2,000 drivers per month or 500 per week.
The active drivers were removed because they have not completed the required documents while the inactive drivers were those who have been out of service for the past three months.
Meanwhile, another 5,000 drivers were deactivated from the system by the company last Monday. Cu said this was lower than the 8,000 drivers they earlier projected to be deactivated.
READ: Grab PH to deactivate 8,000 driver accounts on June 10
Cu explained that some 3,000 drivers were saved from deactivation because they submitted proof of provisional authority (PA) and certificate of public convenience (CPC) from LTFRB.
“Yung 3,000 ay nakapagsubmit na ng documents dahil nagawa nila yun, hindi sila na-deactivate (The 3,000 drivers were able to submit documents. So they were not deactivated),” Cu said in a press briefing after the hearing before the LTFRB.
According to Cu, the 5,000 drivers affected received messages and reminders on how they can submit their respective PA and CPC within the next few days.
He also said that the deactivated drivers could still re-apply and comply with the requirements set by the LTFRB.
As for the pricing of Grab services, Cu said they will try to maintain, not increase, the surge up to 2x.
“As we reduced the number of vehicles dahil sa (because of the) deactivation, that cap will remain to be lower than 2x,” Cu said.
“Prices will not be affected, fares should stay the same.” he said, adding that the team will closely monitor prices and adjust it accordingly as part of its commitment to the Philippine Competition Commission.
With regards to booking a ride, Cu admitted that passengers may experience difficulty in finding a driver.
“There will be difficulty in booking a ride, not just during the rush hour but throughout the day,” he said in Filipino.
However, he said this might be solved in the coming weeks as the LTFRB opened on Monday 10,000 new slots for transport network vehicle service drivers. (Editor: Eden Estopace)