DOTr: Gov’t not limiting number of TNVS

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday said the government is not limiting the number of cars for transport network vehicle services (TNVS), refuting the claim of Grab Philippines, which “essentially” blamed the government for the shortage of cars for its customers.

The DOTr asserted that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has already approved online registration of 10,000 new cars for TNVS and would be opening up more slots soon.

“In fact, LTFRB has just completed the online registration of 10,000 new cars in addition to the master list, with plans to open registration for TNVS applicants for those slots in the master list which have become inactive,” it said in a statement.

The master list refers to those registered vehicles already allowed to ply the roads a TNVS.

Recently, the DOTr received reports that Grab released emails to its partner-drivers and passengers “essentially blaming the government for a ‘supply crisis’.” This developed after commuters complained about the difficulty of booking for a ride.

The DOTr surmised that Grab “seems to confuse” drivers with TNVS in figuring out supply.

“Grab seems to confuse drivers with TNVS in determining supply,” the DOTr noted. “The LTFRB issues franchises or Provisional Authority (PA) to TNVS for them to legally get bookings and accept passengers.”

“Hence, if a TNVS with a PA or franchise cannot run because it does not have driver, it can find a replacement driver,” it added.

Grab Philippines’ email to its partner-drivers and passengers last September 13 claimed that the TNVs industry is “facing a supply crisis.”

“The TNVS Industry is currently facing a supply crisis. Each day, only 4 out of 10 passengers can get a ride. This gets worse during rainy days and Fridays; at certain hours, only 2 out of 10 will get a ride,” Grab said in its email.

“It is because the LTFRB limits the number of drivers on the road who serve you,” it added.  /kga