LTFRB issues policy on TNVS regularization process in Metro Manila

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday has issued a policy that will govern the regularization of Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) operating in Metro Manila under the so-called “tempo.”

"“Tempo” is known in the transport community, especially in TNVS, as a practice of the Transport Network Companies (TNCs) of onboarding TNVS units on their digital platforms without the units having obtained the requisite authority from the LTFRB," the agency said in a statement.

LTFRB acting chairperson Greg Pua Jr. said, "It is the policy of both the DOTr (Department of Transportation) and the LTFRB that no driver or operator be left behind by a regulatory intervention occasioned by the fault of another, and denying them an opportunity to regularize would cause undue hardship and disrupt the continuity of adequate transport services.”

The move, the LTFRB said, was implemented in compliance with the order of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez.

The application for regularization will run for 30 days via LTFRB’s digital platform: https://ltfrb-foa.ph/

The LTFRB, however, said that applications may be filed directly by individual TNVS operators or by accredited TNCs through their authorized representatives on behalf of eligible drivers.

The application is only open to unauthorized units listed in the validated masterlists previously submitted by TNCs, the LTFRB said.

To secure a Provisional Authority (PA), units must first pass a roadworthiness test at an LTFRB-accredited Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC), which will electronically transmit the inspection results directly to the agency's system.

“In addition, vehicles exceeding the standard seven-year age limit are ineligible. However, overage units may be dropped and replaced with a qualified substitute vehicle in accordance with existing LTFRB rules before receiving authority,” the LTFRB said.

Further, insurance coverage must instead be acquired directly from an accredited provider integrated into the LTFRB system. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA News

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