The Department of Transportation, through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has opened the application for almost 8,000 new transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units to help augment the public transportation in Metro Manila and other regions.
LTFRB started accepting TNVS applications last April 30 for a total of 7,870 units, of which 7,000 will be rolled out in the National Capital Region, 220 units in Central Luzon, 500 units in Bicol Region and 150 units in Western Visayas, according to Board Resolution No. 065 s. 2022.
Vehicles of TNVS applicants should not be more than three years old and if the vehicle is mortgaged, the applicant should submit a certificate of conformity from the bank or financial institution.
Once approved, the TNVS can operate through transport network company (TNC) operators GrabCar as well as Joyride Car which started its operation last March.
Grab Philippines said the additional TNVS drivers are expected to be on the road in two to three months after completing the LTFRB-mandated onboarding procedures.
LTFRB opened new TNVS slots in response to the request of TNCs to onboard more driver-partners to serve increasing demand.
“We understand that life is going back to normal, and more Filipinos are going out and taking GrabCar for their everyday commute. Despite Grab Philippines’ efforts to support driver-partners on the platform, the prolonged suspension of ride-hailing during the height of the lockdowns forced thousands of GrabCar driver-partners to give up their cars, or look for alternative income opportunities elsewhere,” Grab Philippines said in a statement.
“This situation has created a serious imbalance to GrabCar’s supply and demand condition, resulting in fewer GrabCar driver-partners on the road having to serve an ever-increasing number of passengers,” it added.
TNVS supply is determined and controlled by the LTFRB as chief regulator, and TNCs such as Grab are required to abide by their guidelines. Even if Grab wanted to accept new driver-partners to meet the increasing demand, only those vehicles licensed by the LTFRB are allowed to be on the platform.
While these additional TNVS slots are not enough to meet the increasing demand for GrabCar, Grab said it continues to work with LTFRB to add more TNVS slots to better serve the needs of the riding public.
To date, the TNVS community said it has over 25,000 active drivers operating. – Myla Iglesias
