LTFRB to Grab, Uber patrons: Please bear with us

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Saturday apologized and appealed to patrons of app-based ride-hailing services such as Grab and Uber to be more understanding and patient as the agency deals with regulatory issues hounding the Transport Network Companies.

In an interview on radio dzBB, LTFRB board member Atty. Aileen Lizada said that the public should understand that Transportation Network Vehicles Services (TNVS) units should be regulated just as other modes of public transportation are.

"Humihingi kami ng paumanhin sa patronizers ng Uber at Grab, pero sana intindihin niyo rin ang LTFRB, kailangan ring iregulate ang TNVS kasi pantay-pantay lang dapat as we regulate the taxi, PUJ, PUB—hindi exempted ang TNVS...," Lizada said.

"We see na kailangan ng TNVS pero transition natin ito, please bear with us, give us more understanding and patience. Kailangan talaga may prangkisa ang TNVS for the safety nung riding public."

Lizada's remark came after commuters rallied behind Grab and Uber on social media using the hashtag #WeWantUberGrab, after the LTFRB said it will intensify the crackdown on colorum TNVS units.

Netizens said that Grab and Uber brought them convenience and made them feel safer,  citing faulty trains and selective or overcharging taxi drivers.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB temporarily halted its apprehension order against Grab and Uber units without necessary permits to operate after motions for reconsideration were filed.

The LTFRB on its July 11 order directed the TNCs to "cease with dispatch the operations of all their TNVS which do not have the required Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or Provisional Authorities (PA)."

The crackdown against colorum vehicles was supposed to begin on July 26. Violators may face a P120,000 fine and their units will be impounded for three months.

The board earlier slapped Grab and Uber with a P5-million fine each for failing to comply with the terms and conditions of the Certificate of TNC accreditation under the Memorandum Circular Number 2015-016.

Both Uber and Grab admitted that they have allowed their drivers to operate even without CPC or PA. —LBG, GMA News