Hatchbacks should be ‘permanently allowed’ as TNVS — Grab  

Deactivated hatchback drivers hold a rally earlier this month in front of the LTFRB office. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

RIDE-hailing firm Grab on Friday said hatchback cars should be “permanently allowed” to operate as transport network vehicle services (TNVS).

“We are grateful to Secretary Arthur Tugade for this directive. It shows his magnanimity and a deep sense of fairness for all those involved,” Grab Philippines president Brian Cu was quoted as saying in a report posted in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.“Consistent with the [Department of Transportation] DOTr’s statement that hatchback TNVS units provide a more economical option to the public, we propose that hatchbacks be permanently allowed to operate as TNVS,” Cu said in a statement, according to the Inquirer report.

He also noted that Grab has been coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the DOTr “to resolve hatchback issues.”

Tugade had ordered the LTFRB to implement its Memorandum Circular (MC) 2018-005, which allows accredited hatchback cars to operate as TNVS provided these operate during the transition period of three years.  The cars are only allowed in Metro Manila and should charge a lower fare.

The LTFRB on Friday said in a statement released to journalists that it has been implementing the MC and it would wait for the DOTr to amend its Department Order 2015-011 before it allows hatchback vehicles to operate as public transport units.

For its part, Grab said it will continue to work closely with regulators and policy makers to address remaining TNVS issues. Its next priority is to help their TNVS partners with their issues in securing bank conformity, the Inquirer said.