LTFRB to Meet with Grab on Deactivation of 8K Units, Mandatory Discount Issues

Starting next week on June 10, Grab Philippines is set to deactivate 8,000 transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) wants to know the rationale behind it.

With that, the Board issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) to MyTaxi.Ph, Inc. (Grab) Thursday, on account of the planned deactivation, among others.

Grab was summoned to appear before the LTFRB on Tuesday next week, a day after the start of the planned deactivation.

In a statement, the LTFRB noted that it regularly sends a report to Grab containing the list of drivers who apply for LTFRB accreditation. According to the agency, drivers who do not apply at all for a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) should have already been deactivated by Grab per the LTFRB's order issued months ago.

As of yesterday, more than 5,000 Provisional Authorities issued by the LTFRB have yet to be claimed by applicants.

The Board will also raise the issue on complaints against Grab for allegedly failing to implement the mandatory 20-percent discount for PWDs, senior citizens, and students under Memorandum Circular 2011-004.

Also, the LTFRB will ask if a mechanism exists for Grab to remedy the failure to apply the required discount after a completed ride as part of its compliance to the SCO.

In conclusion, the LTFRB said that it "stands by its commitment to its mandate of ensuring the safety of the riding public and drivers through the rigorous implementation of its issued rules and regulations."