Uber wants 25,000 more partner drivers accredited by LTFRB

Uber Philippines wants to have 25,000 more partner drivers accredited by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as the board resumed accepting applications for transport network vehicle services (TNVS).

The LTFRB started accepting TNVS applications on Monday, with a working limit of 66,750 set in February, of which 65,000 will be allocated to Metro Manila.

“We anticipate siguro mga ... 20,000 to 25,000 applications. Siguro mga 20,000 to 25,000 ‘yung ipapaprocess natin during this three-month period,” Yves Gonzalez, Uber head of Public Policy, told reporters in Quezon City.

Gonzalez noted a total of 59,000 drivers for both Uber Philippines and competitor Grab Philippines can be accommodated under the LTFRB target. He expects Grab to also have 25,000 TNVS accredited.

“‘Yung current supply base 65,000. So with that current number medyo may space naman na ma-allocate naman ‘yung 59,000 active,” he said.

Uber has 10,000 partners with all the necessary permits, and it plans to raise that number by as much as 25,000 more.

“On Uber’s part, they are people who have driven in the past 90 days. That’s an estimate. Meron na kaming mga 10,000 na may mga case number. Mga 25,000 yata mga ipapaprocess,” Gonzalez noted.

The LTFRB will now processing up to 300 applications daily, with 150 slots each for Grab and Uber.

“Hopefully, ‘yung current na target ng LTFRB na 300, hopefully, maangat natin ’yun to 500 a day, through efficiency,” Gonzalez said.

“As much as possible, ma-process natin as many partners everyday para by the time na we look at the supply base number in three months ay napuno na natin ‘yung existing na 65,000 sa Metro Manila,” he said.

The 65,000 limit for TNVS in Metro Manila is up for review by the board in the next three months, and Uber is now looking at the possibility of making an appeal for a higher number during the review.

“Three months down the road, pag nag-usap na tayo about the cap ulit, we will give our demand numbers, how many are requesting, how many are fulfilled trips,” he said. —VDS, GMA News