The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has raised the number of transport network vehicle service units to serve the rising demand of ride sharing services in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Pampanga.
In its Memorandum Circular 2018-005 released Feb. 12, the LTFRB increased the number of TNVS to 66,750 units from 47,500 units in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Pampanga.
Of the total, the number of TNVS units in Metro Manila were raised to 65,000 from 45,000; Metro Cebu, 1,500 units from 500 TNVS units and Pampanga, 250 units from 200 TNVS units.
The LTFRB said it amended the common supply base of TNVS due to unserved demand, color coding and churning peculiar to TNVS operation.
At present, there are 59,020 active TNVS units out of the 119,283 TNVS accredited units.
The LTFRB also allowed accredited hatchback units subject to transition period of three years in order for the owners to recoup their investment.
“Hatchback units shall only be allowed to operate within Metro Manila. Hatchback units are prohibited from operating in the provinces of Laguna, Bulacan, Rizal and Cavite,” LTFRB said, adding that hatchback units shall charge lower fare rate to be approved by the agency.
“TNVS applicants shall likewise be allowed to replace or drop and substitute their accredited vehicles with year models from 2012 and earlier within 90 days from effectivity of this circular,” LTFRB added.
The circular shall take effect 15 calendar days reckoned from its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.