LTFRB grants provisional OK for hatchback TNVs

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is temporarily allowing the use of hatchback car units for transport network vehicle (TNV) services but only on trips within Metro Manila and with lower fares.

LTFRB member Atty. Aileen Lizada said that the board has considered to allow hatchbacks during the transition period but at a lower rate and within Metro Manila only.

Lizada said the board will decide by March 5, 2018 whether or not to allow the registration of hatchbacks

“There are faces, there are families behind the numbers, that’s why the board has considered the hatchbacks to be allowed during transition but at a lower rate, and will not be allowed to travel on far areas like Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite... only within Metro Manila,” Lizada said.

Earlier this year, the LTFRB planned to exclude hatchbacks or compact cars as TNV service units, citing safety regulations for passengers.

In the LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2017-032 issued in November last year, “hatchbacks and other four door compact or smaller sedan with Piston Displacement not less than 1200cc may be allowed as proposed unit or as substitute unit provided that the unit is compliant with the minimum dimension, safety and comfort features prescribed under MC 2015-004.”

Under the MC 2015-004, the board prescribed that only vehicles with a piston displacement of not less than 1200 cc and fit the new size requirement of LTFRB with overall length of 3990 mm, overall width of 1625 mm, overall height of 1455 mm, and wheelbase of 2405 mm will be allowed.

However, Grab Philippines head Brian Cu said that hatchbacks have nothing to do with the safety of passengers. “I mean if there was a safety concern they should not be on the road in the first place whether they are used for public or private,” Cu pointed out.

According to the LTFRB member, hatchbacks will be fit for those riders who are on a budget and will be travelling short distances.

“We are receiving a lot of requests sa hatchbacks. Hatchbacks have a lower emission and lower cost of fuel. If you will book on a hatch, ito yung gusto mag-TNVS pero my budget lang,” Lizada said.

Grab said it is also proposing the possibility of lower fares for hatchbacks.