Accredit Uber vehicles, lawmaker urges LTFRB

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) should accredit transportation providers using the Uber application, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian said yesterday.

“I suggest that LTFRB create a special procedure for Uber providers instead of making it difficult for them. These providers provide a special service that common carriers cannot fulfill. There is a big demand for their type of service,” he said.

“Uber is not competing with the regular taxicabs since the online service is catering to high-end clients and Uber’s system came about because of this need,” he said.

Uber, which operates in 45 countries, launched its services in Manila last March. The service allows users to share a ride or hail private vehicles through its mobile app. Uber’s vehicles include Toyotas and Mitsubishis.

The US-based startup, however, has been at odds with local taxi operators and authorities in some of the 200 cities where it operates, including Metro Manila where it immediately established a foothold and is fast gaining popularity among upper middle class commuters.

Embrace new technology

Gatchalian said the LTFRB should prepare itself for more technology-driven public transport systems and should put up an office that will study, accredit and manage technology-driven platforms.

“The LTFRB should embrace technology and not kill it. We will see more of this type of mobile applications and crowd sourcing in the future since high-end and discriminating clients want clean, safe and efficient public transport system. Uber fulfills this need,” he said.

He said the entry of Uber is a challenge to all taxi operators and drivers to improve their service.

“Technology will always find a way to fill in the gap,” he added.

The LTFRB apprehended several Uber units last week, saying the company did not apply for a franchise to operate service vehicles. Operators of apprehended Uber vehicles will be made to pay P200,000 and the units will be impounded for three months.

For his part, Rep. Terry Ridon of party-list group Kabataan said the LTFRB should “strike a balance between regulation and innovation” in the case of Uber transport providers.

“Technology and government regulation need not clash with each other. LTFRB should find means for Uber to operate legally. It can, for example, explore the possibility of issuing special permits for Uber vehicles like what it did not so long ago for Makati buses that pick up Makati-based employees from MRT stations,” he said.

He pointed out that people in Makati and Pasig, where Uber vehicles are mostly concentrated, are patronizing the service because they consider it as a faster, safer and more convenient means of transportation, unlike franchised taxis.

“LTFRB might be correct in asserting its regulatory power over Uber, yet it should not hamper the development of such alternative modes of transportation. Instead, it should find ways to let Uber operate legally,” he added.