Senator Sherwin Gatchalian eyes the modernization and streamlining of the country’s mass transport industry, saying the two-track reforms would enhance passenger safety and address the perennial problem of traffic congestion.
Gatchalian summed up his proposed changes as “transport network vehicle services” (TNVS) which he said should be institutionalize as a permanent solution to the worsening traffic problems in the country.
The senator filed Senate Bill 817 seeking the standardization of the transport network services to speed up the development of transport services and ensure the safety of both the passengers and the drivers.
“The development of the transport network services industry could also reduce the volume of vehicles on the road and thus help ease traffic congestion especially in metropolitan areas. The proposed measure allows TNVS to offer ridesharing services to help decongest roads,” he said in a news release on Saturday.
Gatchalian cited a recent study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency which indicated that the Philippines would lose P5.4 billion daily due to traffic snarls by 2035 if no interventions were executed.
While the Department of Transportation has relegated to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board the full authority to regulate and supervise transport network companies (TNCs) and TNVS, Gatchalian said there is a need to institutionalize rules and regulations that would govern the industry.
“Modern transport systems are key factors in improving the economy. We need to have mechanisms to enhance transport network services and protect commuters),” he said.
SB 817 seeks to define the nature of TNCs and TNVS and clarify their roles as common carriers.