THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) admitted that the 5,000 special permits for additional ride-hailing services might not be enough to address the increased transportation demand during the holiday rush.
The LTFRB earlier approved 5,000 slots for Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) as part of efforts to accommodate the influx of commuters during the Christmas season. Despite the increase, some commuters noted having a hard time booking their rides due to the unavailability of vehicles.
“Gumawa kami ng pag-aaral dyan, kahit sabihin mo nang 5,000 ang in-approve namin ayon din sa nakita namin hindi naman sabay-sabay na bumabyahe ang mga 5,000 na ‘yan,” LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz said.
“At karamihan ay mga part-timers lang. Ibig sabihin mga ride-sharing lang ito, mga papuntang opisina o pauwi na gustong kumita ng konti so hindi ito totally an answer to the transport problem,” he added in a televised briefing.
“Kaya ang ginagawa namin, ine-engganyo namin ang mga TNVS na sana haba-habaan ang mga byahe nila,” he continued.
Guadiz said that the LTFRB had also appealed to regular taxis to lengthen their operating hours to accommodate the increased passengers.
“Wala na magagawa, 5,000 ito ang maximum ang mabibigay namin ngayon,” he said.
LTFRB says prepared for holiday exodus
Meanwhile, Guadiz assured that preparations are in place for the expected exodus of passengers going to the provinces this holiday season.
The LTFRB chief said the agency has deployed its personnel in bus terminals to monitor the roadworthiness of the vehicles, and approve special permits for additional trips if necessary.
“May mga nakatalaga kaming tao sa mga terminals. Kapag kulangin ang mga special buses, may on-the-spot na tao na magbibigay ng special permit,” he said.
The LTFRB earlier opened the application for the special permits for provincial buses, which will be valid from December 20, 2024, to January 4, 2025. (ABS-CBN News)
