TNVS drivers, operators open to working with gov’t to boost PH’s ride-hailing services

This May 30, 2020, photo shows the yellow concrete barriers along EDSA Guadalupe for a single bus lane scheme where the number of buses traversing along EDSA would be reduced from 2,500 before the lockdown to 600 under the general community quarantine, as the metro anticipated the resumption of public transport on June 1, 2020. Buses, MRT/ LRT, TNVS, P2P shuttle services and bicycles would be allowed to operate but with limited passenger capacity. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines – A coalition of more than 25,000 transport network vehicle services (TNVS) drivers and operators on Monday said they are willing to work with the government to improve ride-hailing services in the country.

TNVS CommUNITY spokesperson Bobby Coronel said in a press conference they want to be an “integral part of the solution to the perennial problem of our country’s public transportation, especially Metro Manila.”

Metro Manila is cited as among the cities with the worst public transportation and urban mobility readiness based on a think tank Oliver Wyman Forum report and the University of California, Berkeley.

READ: Public transportation, mobility readiness in Manila among world’s worst

Coronel said members of their Metro Manila-based coalition take cognizance of commuters’ daily problems in the country.

“Hindi din po lingid sa amin ang hinaing ng ating mga pasahero sa TNVS. Direk po naming naririnig lahat yan sa tuwing kami ay nakikipagkwentuhan sa mismong mga pasahero namin. Kaya hangad po sana naming makipagtulungan sa ating gobyerno at sa mga mambabatas, lalong-lalo na sa kagalang-galang sa Senador Grace Poe, upang maayos at mapaganda ang aming serbisyo,” he said.

(We are aware of the woes of TNVS passengers as we hear these stories directly from them. That’s why we hope to work with the government and our lawmakers, especially the respected Senator Grace Poe, to improve our services.)

READ: As PH transport crisis worsens, workers say traffic, lack of rides are draining them

Poe is the chairman of the Senate committee on public services.

Meanwhile, Transport Network Vehicle Representatives head Saturnino Mopas said they hope to correct the alleged disinformation by those “pretending to represent the drivers and operators of TNVS.”

Although he did not mention any group in specific, Mopas claimed these groups were “aggressively” seeking help from the government without carrying the true sentiments of TNVS drivers.

Unity of Leaders for TNVS Community’s Calvin Manalo, for his part, said lawmakers should hear from TNVS drivers and operators since they can help paint a more accurate image of the transport sector’s current state.

“Sa tuwing may pagbabago sa regulasyon at polisiya, naapektuhan din po ang aming hanapbuhay at pamilya,” he said. “Gusto po namin na mapakinggan din kami at malaman din ninyo ang aming mga tunay na sentimiento bilang mga driver na tunay na sumasabak sa kalye sa araw at gabi upang kumayod para sa aming mga pamilya.”

(Every time there’s a change in regulations and policies, our work and families are affected. We want to be heard. We want them to know the true sentiments of drivers who set out to the streets to work, day and night, for our families.)