Grace Poe to LTFRB: Explain 45k-car cap on TNVS units

Senator Grace Poe on Monday demanded an explanation from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on its decision to cap the number of Grab, Uber and other ride-sharing units.

Poe, chairperson of the public services committee, made the remark days after the LTFRB limited the number of units to 45,000 in Metro Manila, 500 in Metro Cebu, and 200 in Pampanga.

“What’s the math used in this decision? What were the parameters used, like demand and supply?” Poe said.

"Some formula would have been used because these figures, which are important to the riding public, cannot and should not be plucked out of thin air," she added.

“In this age of algorithms, LTFRB should make public the factual basis of its decision. Ilabas nila ang minutes ng meetings and consultations para alam ng publiko,” Poe said.

“Such disclosure of a public document is what the FOI rules, issued by the President, require. Tulad namin dito sa Senado, ang transcripts are made public. Walang censored or hidden,” she added.

The LTFRB recently issued Memorandum Circular  2018-003 which set a  “common supply base” for transport network vehicle service (TNVS) providers.

The said base would mean that ride-sharing companies will share the pool, which shall not be exceeded. —NB, GMA News