LTFRB opens 10,200 TNVS slots in Metro

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has opened 10,200 slots in Metro Manila for transport network vehicle services (TNVS) to serve more commuters as the country fully reopens following the pandemic.

The LTFRB also opened 350 slots for Central Luzon.

The board said it opened the slots following the recommendation of its Franchise Planning and Monitoring Division as well as the request by transport network company (TNC) Grab.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz said the opening of slots is based on commuters’ needs and time and motion studies conducted by the government.

Guadiz added that the number of TNVS units has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, wherein 65,000 slots were allotted to TNCs.

He refuted claims by some transport organizations that the LTFRB opened too many TNVS slots and this has led to the heavier traffic volume.

The LTFRB has also allowed the transfer of certificate of public convenience (CPC) for public utility vehicles (PUVs) after seven years.

The board noted that some PUV operators were unable to receive benefits such as fuel subsidies as they failed to transfer and register their vehicles under their name in line with the PUV modernization program.

PUV modernization

Applications for CPCs for public utility vehicles have been accepted by the LTFRB. ?

“It will be easier to distribute aid to operators such as the Pantawid Pasada or fuel subsidy program of the government,” Guadiz said yesterday.

Memorandum Circular 2023-027 lifts the 2016 prohibition on accepting applications for the sale and transfer, whether voluntary or involuntary, of CPCs to other operators.

This will allow operators to join the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program as they will be able to transfer and register their vehicles, according to Guadiz. ?

Guadiz said Memorandum Circular 2016-010 was issued to solve the problem of buy-and-sell operators commercializing CPCs.

He said these operators “have abused and hijacked the franchising process by trafficking in CPCs/franchises at a huge profit instead of operating the same.” – Bella Cariaso