Transpo group claims Uber, GrabCar worsen traffic in Metro

Members of Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) staged a rally to call for the suspension of the accreditation of Uber and GrabCar as it threatens their livelihood and contributes to the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila. ARIES JOSEPH HEGINA/Inquirer.net

A transport group composed of jeepney, taxi, and UV Express drivers is pushing for the suspension of the accreditation of mobile application-based ridesharing services Uber and GrabCar, as they claim these companies are contributing to the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila.

Staging a rally outside the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) main office in Quezon City on Wednesday, members of Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) said that thousands of GrabCar and Uber are on the road due to the relatively easy procedures for their accreditation.

ACTO President Efren De Luna said that the relative ease of the accreditation process of said transportation network companies (TNCs) violates their rights as “legitimate” owners and operators of public utility vehicles who have franchises.

“[Uber and GrabCar] contribute to worsening traffic and minimize our profit. Their accreditation is a violation of out rights as legitimate public utility vehicle owners and operators who hold franchise and are following the prescribed procedures. However, our rights have been disregarded by the LTFRB,” De Luna said in an interview with INQUIRER.net.

“Our problem is that there are too many cars on the road. But why is the LTFRB still accepting the application of thousands of GrabCar and Uber drivers?” he added.

Meanwhile, De Luna claimed that the accreditation of the TNCs has sparked a more aggressive stance of the regulatory agency regarding the “phase-out” of PUVs.

He said that while drivers of PUVs are willing to “modernize” so that their service will be at par with the ones being provided by Uber and GrabCar drivers,  the “phase-out” of cars which are 10 years-old or older will pose as a threat to their livelihood.

Citing data collated as of Sept. 23, the LTFRB said that it has received 3,903 units from TNCs and has received applications from 2,982 drivers for accreditation.

There were more drivers wanting to be accredited under Uber than GrabCar: with 1,808 applications for Uber compared to 1,174 for GrabCar. JE