Many Uber, Grab partners are colorum drivers —LTFRB exec

Many drivers of Uber, Grab and other app-based transportation network vehicle services must be colorum of unauthorized drivers, an official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said on Tuesday.

Board member Aileen Lizada said the LTFRB was also looking to fine tune the regulations regarding TNVS drivers so they could also be included among the public untility vehicle drivers who were prohibited from holding strikes.

Lizada made the remarks after the Philippine Transport Network Organization said that many Uber and Grab drivers were planning to go on strike on Tuesday after the LTFRB put a cap on surge pricing.

"May isang grupo na nagsasabi na 14,000 daw ang kanilang members. Sa LTFRB 2,800 lang ang legit TNVS and 1,500 ang may provisional authorities or temporary permit para mag-book ng pasahero as TNVS," Lizada told GMA News Online.

Lizada noted that TNVS operators and drivers who are not accredited by the LTFRB are colorum.

"Akala kasi nila (drivers) of ma-accredit na sila ng Uber or Grab ay pwede na sila mag-drive pero kailangan parin nila ma-accredit sa LTFRB. So colorum sila," Lizada said.

In a statement posted on Facebook by the Philippine Transport Network Organization, the group claimed to have more than 13,000 drivers of Uber, Grab and other TNVS in its membership.

Lizada urged passengers of app-based vehicle services to ask their TNVS drivers if they had pertinent documents from the LTFRB to operate.

Regarding the transport strike of TNVS drivers, Lizada said the LTFRB had seen no significant impact.

"Sa ngayon, wala kaming nakukuhang reports on the effect to commuters of the strike. Wala rin kaming namo-monitor sa social media," Lizada said.

TNVS drivers were expected to go on strike on Tuesday in response to LTFRB's price surge cap on the app-based public utility vehicle services.

Lizada said that the LTFRB was looking to include TNVS to current modes public land transportation which are not allowed to conduct strikes.

LTFRB's memorandum circular 2011-004 says public utility vehicle operators shall not resort to cessation of service as a sign or demonstration of protest against any government decision or action.

"May separate department order kasi na nag-create ng TNVS so we are reviewing it, maraming kailang i-fine tune... hindi pwedeng mag transport strike kagaya ng bus, jeepneys, at taxi kasi we have to protect the riding public kaya hindi pwedeng i-exempt ang TNVS," Lizada said. —NB, GMA News