LTFRB urged to set maximum working hours for Uber, Grab drivers

Sen. Joel Villanueva. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Why not set maximum working hours for Grab and Uber drivers instead?

This was the proposal of Senator Joel Villanueva after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said that it is “seriously considering” setting minimum working hours for Grab and Uber drivers.

Villanueva said this is to ensure the safety of both passengers and drivers overworked from meeting the minimum number of working hours.

“Kailangan natin masiguro na ang drivers ay hindi overworked at buma-biyahe lamang sa itinakdang working hours. Ito ay para na rin sa kanilang kaligtasan, maging ng kanilang mga pasahero,” Villanueva said in a statement on Friday.

(We need to ensure that the drivers are not overworked as they work around the set working hours. This is for their safety and the safety of their passengers.)

The LTFRB’s proposal would also be ironic to the transport network vehicle services (TNVS)’s concept of ride-sharing, he said.

The senator pointed out that some drivers on their way to work use Grab and Uber to share a ride with other commuters who are also going to the same or near their area of destination.

“Originally, car owners subscribe to ride-sharing apps like Uber and Grab to save money for fuel and help in easing transportation woes of commuters who do not own cars. Some of these car owners do not consider Uber and Grab as business and they have the option to drive in whatever number of hours they choose to. So if the LTFRB would not give franchise to drivers like them for not complying to the set minimum working hours, it runs contrary to the concept of ride-sharing per se,” Villanueva said.

READ: Uber, Grab drivers should pay equal fees as PUVs, says Villanueva

On Thursday, LTRFB Spokesperson Aileen Lizada said in a press briefing that if they would grant franchises for TNVS drivers, there should be a minimum number of hours that they are working.

“Kasi kung bibigyan kayo ng prangkisa, pero two hours a week lang kayo babiyahe, sayang. Bibigay na lang natin sa iba ‘yung prangkisa,” Lizada added.

(Because if we will give you a franchise, but you will only be driving two hours a week, the franchise will be wasted. We will just give it to others who need it.)

This as she noted the practice of some Grab and Uber drivers who take passengers only “when surge prices are high.”

Villanueva also called for an inquiry with the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DoTR) on the process of granting franchises to TNVS providers.

The senator intends to scrutinize the reasons prompting the LTFRB to stop issuing permits to TNVS, incentives design for drivers, and the tax payment scheme for TNVS operators.

“Higit po sa issue ng TNVS, nais nating kalampagin ang Department of Transportation upang sila ay makapagbigay nang mas maayos na mass transportation service,” Villanueva said.

(Aside from the issue about the TNVS, we want to compel the Department of Transportation to provide better mass transportation service.)

Villanueva earlier filed the Senate Resolution No. 431 seeking to require and review the process followed by the LTFRB in granting franchises to Uber and Grab.

On Thursday next week, Aug. 3, Senator Grace Poe’s committee on public service will hold a public inquiry on the LTFRB-TNVS issues and taxi passengers’ bill of rights.

Among those confirmed to attend are Lizada, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Commuter Affairs Elvira Medina, Grab Philippines Public Affairs Manager Leo Gonzales, and Uber Philippines Government Relations and Public Policy Head Yves Gonzalez. IDL/rga