A clear, consultative process for transport stakeholders
February 18, 2023CitizenWatch Philippines commends the move of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to clarify its statement regarding the Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) slots and to consult transportation stakeholders on the matter.
The LTFRB’s announcement that 100,000 franchise slots would be opened will give the riding public more accessible and affordable options in their daily commute and provide employment opportunities to more drivers. Questions arose, however, on who exactly would be allowed to use these 100,000 slots.
Clarifying the agency’s earlier statement, LTFRB chief Teorilo Guadiz said that the franchise slots would be bid out to interested transportation groups and will be spread out to other regions in the Visayas and Mindanao, aside from the National Capital Region.
This will help boost tourism and will generate more economic activity in tourist destinations all over the country.
As other transport companies will be allowed to participate in the bidding, this should put to rest concerns raised by some transport groups that the new slots will be offered exclusively to one company.
We welcome the public consultations with transportation stakeholders to arrive at the best and most equitable and responsive decision regarding the awarding of the slots.
Solutions to the country’s transportation woes are best worked out with inputs from all stakeholders.
Indeed, more slots need to be opened as public transport demand has already exceeded pre-pandemic levels and would continue to grow.
The benefits of increasing TNVS slots will be felt by consumers via lower fares and increased availability of rides will drive more demand for TNVS, which will in turn help TNVS drivers earn more.
Expanding TNVS services should be done with urgency as mobility is key to accelerating an inclusive economic recovery.