Grab qualified for motorcycle taxi pilot study inclusion —LTFRB

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board  (LTFRB) on Wednesday said transport network vehicle service (TNVS) giant Grab Philippines is qualified for inclusion in the motorcycle taxi pilot study.

Citing a letter to Grab Philippines head of mobility Edward Joseph dela Vega, the LTFRB said its chairman Teofilo Guadiz III notified the TNVS firm about its inclusion in the motorcycle taxi pilot study. 

However, Guadiz told Grab that it could only start its motorcycle taxi service after getting a go signal from the agency.

Among the conditions set by LTFRB is the conduct of an on-site inspection of Grab’s head office and training facility on January 8.

The agency is yet to release its final regulatory approval for Grab following the site inspection.

Nonetheless, Guadiz said Grab is allowed to operate a motorcycle taxi service within the National Capital Region and would be allowed to initially onboard 2,000 riders.

Concerning Grab’s recruitment of drivers for their bike-hailing service, the LTFRB chief in a statement, explained that the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group has no existing guidelines that prohibit the recruitment of drivers in preparation for a potential service launch.

"Concerning the actual activation of any MC Taxi app or service on the Grab app, this agency confirms that Grab is yet to receive full authorization from the MC Taxi TWG," Guadiz said.

"Rest assured, the LTFRB will continue to work closely with all stakeholders in the industry to maintain fair competition in this fast-growing sector," he added.

In a separate statement, Grab Philippines chief operating officer Ronald Roda said the company received a letter from the LTFRB informing it about it being qualified for inclusion in the pilot study.

Roda said Grab Philippines believes that with “its track record of innovation, coupled with its commitment to social progress, strategically positions itself as a strong candidate for any regulatory approval.”

“The MC Taxi sector has so much potential for creating jobs and improving transportation, which can be fully realized with the legalization of this sector. And Grab is fully committed to playing an active role in making this happen for our kababayans,” Roda said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News