Fresh TNVS slots to generate jobs, address commuter woes — group

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 13) — The transportation authorities’ approval of more than 10,000 new slots for ride-hailing services would produce job opportunities and address current demand as mobility returns to pre-pandemic levels, a transport network vehicle service (TNVS) alliance said Thursday.

In a statement, the TNVS Alliance of the Philippines (TAP) welcomed this move from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“The new slots will present new livelihood opportunities for fellow Filipinos who are looking for new income streams in the post-pandemic era,” it said.

The group also said onboarding more drivers would reduce the daily struggle of commuters, noting that TNVS drivers are seeing “more and more passengers on the road needing a ride.”

Transport group Laban TNVS agrees that the granting of additional TNVS slots will provide more work for Filipinos.

However, the group said the current supply of units is enough for the current demand of commuters.

“Yung demand natin ngayon sa TNVS ay na su-suplayan natin,” Jun de Leon, president of transport group Laban TNVS, told CNN Philippines Traffic Center.

[Transition: We are meeting the demand for TNVS units.]

“Sobra-sobra pa ang TNVS drivers natin ngayon, at nagrereklamo pa ang ating mga drivers dahil sa kakulangan ng pasahero,” De Leon added.

[Translation: There is an oversupply of TNVS drivers right now and drivers are complaining about the lack of passengers.]

De Leon called on the government to focus instead on extending the operating permits of existing TNVS units and to review the current number of units.

“Marami pa po noong nakaraang pandemic ang nawalan ng hanapbuhay at hindi na nakabalik sa biyahe. Dapat yan po ang unahin nila,” he said.

[Translation: We have a lot of drivers in the last pandemic who lost their livelihood and were unable to get back on the road. They should be prioritized.]

“Kung hindi lang po kikita ang mga bagong TNVS drivers at malulugi ang mga datihang drivers, bali wala lang po [yung pagdagdag ng units],” De Leon added.

[Translation: If the new TNVS drivers will not earn enough and the existing drivers will eventually lose their source of income, then it is all for nothing.]

The LTFRB earlier announced that it would open an additional 10,300 TNVS slots this April amid growing demand.

This would cover the capital region, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal.

LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III previously said it was vital to add TNVS slots as more people go out for work or leisure, and with demand for transportation services expected to grow further at the onset of the dry/warm season.