LTFRB orders Grab, Uber to deactivate drivers accredited after June 30

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has ordered transport network companies (TNCs) Grab and Uber to deactivate their drivers who were accredited in their platforms after June 30.

This came in after app-based ride-sharing companies Grab and Uber filed their motions for reconsideration last week asking the LTFRB not to implement its apprehension order against “colorum” transport network vehicle services (TNVS) units starting July 26.

The LTFRB in its order released to the media on Wednesday night said “the subsequent filing by the Respondents of the above Motions for Reconsideration have the effect of staying the execution of the other directives contained in the 11 July 2017 Consolidated Order only for those Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) existing in their systems as of 30 June 2017.”

“Henceforth, the directive to submit an updated list of the respondents' accredited TNVS as of 30 June 2017 shall remain effective to be complied immediately upon receipt hereof. No further acceptance of additional accreditation of TNVS and/or activation of their accounts into the respondents' respective systems shall be allowed effective immediately as well,” the order added.

The Board said that failure to comply would lead to imposing of “appropriate sanction on the erring or non-compliant respondent/s.”

Meanwhile, the LTFRB also acknowledged the receipt of the payment of fine of both TNCs. The Board in its July 11 order imposed a P5-million fine for the various violations of terms and conditions of the Certificate of TNC accreditation under Memorandum Circular Number 2015-016.

The LTFRB said there are about 42,000 units of Grab and Uber. However, they have yet to determine the exact number as some drivers who are deemed to be “dual citizens” have been using both applications.

LTFRB board member Atty. Aileen Lizada told reporters on Thursday that they will cross-check the master lists that will be submitted by both Grab and Uber.

“Last night we directed both TNCs to submit their updated master list in the template that we gave them on or before tomorrow July 28, as well as another master list of all those activated after June 30,” Lizada said.

“Once we receive both lists, we will do a cross checking because some of the drivers in Uber might be in the list of Grab and some of the names in Grab might be in Uber. This is pertaining to [those TNVS accredited] after June 30, 2017,” she said.

“Once we are able to do a cross checking of both lists then the board will decide as to the next action that we will be taking.” —KG/KVD, GMA News