Grab calls for shared blacklist database

Grab Philippines has called on other transport network companies (TNCs) Uber and U-hop to enjoin them in sharing a common database of blacklisted passengers for the safety of both drivers and passengers.

Grab Country head Brian Cu in a statement said it is high time for TNCs to join together and use the technology to promote the safety and welfare of drivers, as well as of the passengers.

Cu said there are some issues that need to be handled such as cases of passengers harassing the drivers either verbally or physically, cases of passengers not paying fares, damages to the property of Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) partners because of incidents of vomiting and urinating in the car.

Cu said Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra responded positively to his recommendation, saying that it is better if such database can be also be shared with the government.

The statement added that Delgra in the meantime called for a technical working group (TWG) to discuss actionable steps and a clear path forward to putting driver safety mechanisms in place.

The TWG will be composed of representatives from both the TNCs and TNVS driver communities.

"We are eager to be part of the Technical Working Group for driver safety," Cu said, adding that Grab will work with authorities to prevent another incident like the recent carnapping and killing of a Grab driver in Pasay City.

Cu also assured that Grab will soon come up with a tech solution, for the protection of their partners and passengers.