LTFRB rejects appeal on deactivated TNVS units

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) rejected calls to lift the deactivation of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units not covered by required documents.

In a statement on Tuesday, the LTRFB particularly addressed Senator Grace Poe’s TNVS concerns, including her call to consider lifting the deactivation of TNVS units.

READ: Poe tells LTFRB: Give chance to deactivated TNVS cars

“While the LTFRB is willing to listen to the grievance of applicants and respects their right to organize and protest, the agency stands by its mandate to prohibit the provision of public transport service by ‘colorum’ TNVS,” the LTFRB said.

“These units operate without franchise and outside of their platform, and therefore have no legitimate authority to take on passengers or ply public roads and spaces. To do so otherwise is to renege on the LTFRB’s basic mandate as a regulatory body,” it added.

The agency assured Poe that it “remains committed to its mandate of providing safe, reliable and comfortable public transportation that are congruent to existing laws.”

“The agency appreciates that Senator Poe is looking after the welfare of TNVS operators and the riding public, our most important stakeholders, and we ask for her continued support to the same mandate of the agency to regulate land-based public transportation, and to safeguard the welfare and interests of all stakeholders, especially the commuting public,” it said.

TNVS drivers and operators staged a “transport holiday” on Monday to protest  the LTFRB’s “inconsistent and problematic” policies and its refusal to allow hatchback-type units to operate as TNVS units.

READ: Brace for TNVS booking woes as drivers stage ‘transport holiday’

The LTFRB pointed out that it has implemented measures to address the issues of TNVS drivers even before the “transport holiday” was conducted.

Among the measures were numerous considerations in the ease of doing business including creating an online registration platform for applications, formation of a one-stop shop processing center, issuance of provisional authority pending the issuance of certificates of public convenience, the LTFRB said.

The agency also said it has allowed hatchback-type units included in the master list submitted by transport network companies to take on passengers as regular TNVS provided they comply with certain conditions.

It has also set a dialogue with TNVS drivers and operators on Tuesday to “address concerns on the process of accreditation and the necessity of such regulations and requirements.” (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

READ: LTFRB sets dialogue with TNVS drivers, operators on July 9