Poe appeals to LTFRB to allow new Uber, Grab applications

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday appealed to the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to defer its decision in disallowing new applications from Grab and Uber drivers, citing the public’s need for a safe and reliable public transportation.

In a statement, Poe said the LTFRB should “strike a balance” between regulating Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) and ensuring that the needs of commuters are met.

“Until we are able to improve mass transportation, the LTFRB should defer its decision to disallow new applications from Grab and Uber drivers,” Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee, said.

Poe said Transport Network Companies (TNCs) Grab and Uber have provided services that taxi operators have failed to do, such as point-to-point pick-up and delivery, standardized fare, and safe and comfortable rides.

But Poe said government regulation is still necessary, as too much drivers plying the same route would result in traffic congestion.

“If anybody can just operate transportation services for the public, we may have an oversupply of common carriers in one area, or a lack of transportation in another,” she said.

“I believe, however, that the drivers of Uber and Grab should not be caught in the crossfire between LTFRB and the TNVS,” Poe added.

Seventy-two percent of the 56,000 TNVS will be considered as "colorum" starting July 26, according to the LTFRB, and will no longer be allowed to ply the streets of Metro Manila.

Only 15,440 vehicles of both Transport Network Companies (TNCs) Grab and Uber have the necessary documents to continue operating, the agency said.

The vehicles that can continue to operate consist of 3,000 with the provisional authority and certificate of public convenience, as well as 10,000 with pending applications and 2,440 with motions for reconsideration.

The LTFRB has previously blamed Uber and Grab for accepting new applications despite a suspension order issued last year.

Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara urged the LTFRB, as well as Grab and Uber, to come up with a “compromise” at the soonest possible time, citing the inconvenience on the riding public.

“This is the best time too to remind the government to speed-up its projects on improving the country’s public transport system so that our people will have better transportation options,” Angara said.

Senator JV Ejercito is scheduled to meet with the representatives of LTFRB, Grab and Uber on Wednesday to hopefully “mediate” on the issue. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/KBK/KVD, GMA News