LTFRB to set rules for online taxi services

MANILA, Philippines - Policies involving transportation network companies (TNCs) and vehicles are about to be set, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said in an advisory published yesterday.

The LTFRB said it would conduct a workshop “for the purpose of finalizing our rules and regulations” concerning TNCs, such as Uber, Grab Taxi, and Easy Taxi, where draft policy papers would be discussed.

TNCs provide prearranged transportation services to passengers using an online-based mobile application that would connect them to drivers.

The LTFRB and some lawmakers last year proposed to create a bill to regulate online transportation services as they were regarded as “colorum.”

The agency also earlier said that without an enabling policy, commuters who avail themselves of TNC services could not be covered by insurance in case of accidents.

A discussion on a draft department order recognizing TNCs as a new mode of public land transportation is among the issues to be discussed in the workshop.

Draft memorandum circulars regarding the terms and conditions governing the accreditation of TNCs would also be part of the agenda.

The workshop will be held at the LTFRB multi-purpose hall in Quezon City on Jan. 21, the advisory said.