Only accredited drivers, operators by July 27, LTFRB tells Uber, Grab

Starting July 27, only the drivers and operators of network companies accredited by the agency may be allowed to lawfully operate, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said yesterday.

The LTFRB asked Grab Philippines, Uber Philippines and U-Hop transport network companies offering ride-sharing and ride-hailing services to submit the list of accredited drivers and operators to the agency.

The LTFRB said the accredited operators are those with approved Certificate of Convenience (CPC) and Provisional Authorities (PA).

Violating operators will be arrested and will be fined as much as 1120,000, and their cars will be impounded for at least three months.

On July 11, the LTFRB imposed a fine of 15 million on Grab and Uber for numerous violations specifically for having the largest colorum operation.

It was reported that out of some 28,000 drivers, only about 4,000 of Grab drivers have a provisional authority (PA) or certificate of public convenience (CPC), authorizing their operations.

LTFRB officials also discovered numerous erroneous data in Uber’s records, with names of some of its drivers either un-identical to those registered in LTFRB or not registered at all.

The LTFRB stopped granting applications for CPCs in July 2016.

However, the Philippine Transport Network Organization – composed of 12,000 driver and operator-partners of ride-hailing applications – is set to file a position paper before the Department of Transportation (DOTr). (Chito A. Chavez)