LTFRB stands ground on ‘colorum’ TNVS ban

INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO

THE ban on transport network vehicle services (TNVS) units operating without the necessary documents remains in effect, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“While the LTFRB is willing to listen to the grievance of applicants and respects their right to organize and protest, the agency stands by its mandate to prohibit the provision of public transport service by ‘colorum’ TNVS. These units operate without franchises and outside of their platform, and therefore have no legitimate authority to take on passengers or ply public roads and spaces. To do so otherwise is to renege on the LTFRB’s basic mandate as a regulatory body,” the agency said.

The LTFRB noted the statement is its response to Senator Grace Poe’s comments made on July 8 saying some regulations and responsibilities of the agency should be reviewed.

“What we should look into is not just the necessity of the requirements issued, but the scope of what the LTFRB can regulate and the consistency of its regulations,” Poe said on Monday. “We need to strike a balance on the need to regulate and the need to serve the riding public.”

The LTFRB assured the senator that it “remains committed to its mandate of providing safe, reliable and comfortable public transportation that are congruent to existing laws.”

TNVS drivers and operators staged a “transport holiday” on Monday to protest what they said are the LTFRB’s “inconsistent and problematic” policies and its refusal to allow hatchback cars to operate as TNVS units.

The LTFRB said it has allowed hatchbacks included in the master list submitted by TNVS companies to take on passengers provided these comply with certain conditions.

The agency set a dialogue with TNVS drivers and operators on Tuesday to “address concerns on the process of accreditation and the necessity of such regulations and requirements.”