FEELING THE PINCH | As of May this year, transport network vehicle service drivers earn an estimated P4,000 a day, but they spend longer hours than last year. They now also allocate double— P1,600 — for gas, no thanks to the weekly price hikes.
MANILA, Philippines — Transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers work for up to 14 hours a day but are taking home the same amount in earnings they had made when they were spending lesser time on the road before oil prices rose dramatically.
In November 2021, drivers employed by transport network companies (TNC) such as Grab would have a standard gross earning of P3,000 after working eight to 10 hours a day.
These drivers pay daily around 20 percent of their gross earnings, or P600, as a “commission” for the TNC plus a “boundary” of P1,000, according to Saturnino Mopas, the designated spokesperson for the TNVS four-wheel Community (TNVS Community).
The TNVS Community represents about 25,000 members composed of drivers and operators of the ride-hailing company Grab and other TNCs.
Mopas, a driver-operator himself, said drivers in 2021 also allocated P100 a day for maintenance of the vehicle they were driving, if in a boundary setup. At that time expenses for fuel amounted to only P800.
Doubled allocation
As of May this year, TNVS drivers earn an estimated P4,000 a day, but they spend longer hours than last year.
The commission has now risen to P800 although the boundary and maintenance rates remain the same, Mopas said.
However, they now allocate double — P1,600 — for gas, no thanks to the weekly price hikes.
On top of that, Mopas said they had to extend their working hours to up to 14 hours to get the same P500 they took home last year.
“We are aware that this is detrimental to our health, but we have no choice,” he told the Inquirer in a phone interview.
As a driver himself, Mopas said he now spent 12 hours on the road daily. He starts his trips at 4 a.m. and returns home at 4 p.m.
Fare hike petition
His group presented these facts during the latest hearing held by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on TNVS Community’s bid for a P15 increase in the base fare for ride-hailing services.
His group’s petition was filed to cope with last year’s steady rise in fuel prices before the hikes skyrocketed starting in the first quarter of this year. A similar petition was filed by MyTaxi.PH Inc.
Despite this year’s fuel price increases, Mopas said there were very few drivers who were now considering whether to continue working for TNVS.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that TNVS drivers were still waiting for the LTFRB’s decision. A hearing for their petition is scheduled for next month.
“We hope the current administration will hear our plea,” Mopas said.
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