THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday met with officials from Indonesian firm Go-Jek, warning them of the different policies in the Philippines for transport network vehicle services (TNVS).
LTFRB Board Member Aileen A. Lizada said she told Go-Jek officials during the meeting that unlike in Indonesia, the Philippine government regulates TNVS and transportation network companies (TNC).
“Go-Jek can surge up to five times in Indonesia, I told them, [in the Philippines it’s] up to two times [only]. Then I asked them if [it’s only] two times, will you survive? They said they need to study,” Ms. Lizada told reporters.
Go-Jek is a technology company in Indonesia with half a million TNVS, of which 250,000 are active, said Ms. Lizada. But unlike in the Philippines, there is no government regulation of TNCs in Indonesia, only fare range.
In April, Go-Jek expressed its intention to enter the Philippines.
“Go-Jek is interested to enter and provide TNVS (transport network vehicle service) services which is only one of the 18 services they offer,” Ms. Lizada said.
She said Go-Jek wants to enter all cities with taxis. However, she clarified that the company needs to submit a request first, which the LTFRB will evaluate.
Ms. Lizada said the LTFRB still needs to study the plans of Go-Jek to protect local TNCs, as they also have taxi-hailing applications. — Denise A. Valdez
