With fines of up to P200K, LTFRB starts going after Uber vehicles

The Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB) has started going after Uber vehicles after the agency ruled that such services should be covered by a franchise, an official said on Thursday.

 

In an interview with GMA News Online, LTFRB officer Dennis Barion said the fines are P120,000 for sedans and P200,000 for utility vehicles used in Uber's transportation services. 

 

“It's not the service but it's because of... not having a franchise,” Barion said.

 

He added that the seized vehicles will be impounded by the Land Transportation Office for at least three months.

 

Barion said the first Uber vehicle—a Fortuner—was apprehended in the Metrowalk area in Pasig City on Wednesday. The fine was pegged at P200,000.

 

He said the LTFRB was studying the possibility of going after similar transport services amid reports that Tripid and Grabcar also use vehicles that do not have the land transportation franchises.

Uber is a service that allows commuters to hail a vehicle for their use through their smartphone. Payment can be done through credit card which made it a viable alternative for some commuters.