LTFRB suspends acceptance of new operators for ride-sharing apps

Operators who want to be part of ride-sharing applications such as Grab and Uber will have to wait for approval after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended acceptance of new applications to become Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) providers.

The LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2016-008 directing its technical division not to accept any TNVS application upon effectivity of the said circular.

"All regional offices are likewise directed not to accept any TNVS applications with proposed route to operate entering Metro Manila," LTFRB's order read.

The LTFRB said it is reviewing existing policies before granting new TNVS applications.

Last year, the transport department created a new category for TNVS vehicles to regulate app-based ride-sharing providers.

Operators have to register as TNVS before their vehicles become eligible to provide ride sharing through apps categorized as Transport Network Companies (TNCs). —John Ted Cordero/JST, GMA News