LTFRB approves Uber accreditation

LTFRB chair Winston Ginez poses with a representative of Uber when the company filed for accreditation on August 17, 2015. SCREENGRAB FROM LTFRB CHAIRMAN TWITTER ACCOUNT

The Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved on Wednesday the application of online-based transportation service provider Uber as an accredited Transport Network Company (TNC).

LTFRB says that effective Wednesday, August 19, Uber is now a registered TNC.

As an accredited TNC, Uber partner drivers will need to register as common carriers with the LTFRB and pay a filing fee of at least P520.

Uber cars are required to install global positioning system (GPS) tracking and navigation devices.

The approval of Uber’s application came two days after the ridesharing mobile application filed for accreditation ahead of the August 20 deadline imposed by LTFRB.

The TNC accreditation will allow Uber and other app-based service providers to operate legally in the country.

The LTFRB will apprehend unregistered Uber taxis and other private vehicles operating as public utility vehicles (PUVs) starting August 21. Drivers of unregistered private vehicles operating as PUVs will be fined P200,000 and their vehicles will be impounded for three months.