DOTr to LTFRB : Allow hatchbacks to operate as TNVS units

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to allow hatchback-type vehicles to operate as transport network vehicle services (TNVS).

The agency said Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade instructed the LTFRB to implement its Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2018-005, which allows hatchback units to operate as public transport on certain conditions.

“Implement the existing MC until such time that the same is modified and/or amended,” Tugade said in a press release.

“Kung kailangang baguhin ang ilang dokumento, baguhin. Kung kailangang i-improve, dapat i-improve,” he added.

Under the MC, all accredited hatchback units will be allowed to operate as public transport if they only operate during the transition period of three years, only in Metro Manila, and charge a lower fare.

Only hatchback units that were among the 55,000 units in the masterlist and whose applications were filed from March 5 to December 15, 2018 are included under the MC.

Transport Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon said the LTFRB will need to amend their MC to allow the permanent classification of hatchback-type vehicles as TNVS units, and to re-enlist the TNVS units that were removed from the masterlist.

Hatchback drivers and operators have been decrying the refusal of the LTFRB to process their applications as TNVS units, which led to their deactivation from their ride-sharing platforms. /muf

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