By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will release its official decision on the proposed increase in taxi fares, as well as guidelines on ride-sharing apps, before the end of the month, an official said.

“The decision [on taxi fare increase will] come out before the end [of the] month,” Board Member Aileen Lizada said via text.

Ms. Lizada added that the agency would also release the pending Memorandum Circulars (MCs) on the regulation of ride-sharing apps or transport network companies (TNCs) Uber (Uber Systems, Inc.), Grab (MyTaxi.PH, Inc.) and Uhop “before the end of the month.”

The LTFRB announced three weeks ago that it’s looking at increasing fares in a bid to make taxis more competitive and to motivate drivers and operators to give better service.

The proposed fare adjustment will retain the flag-down rate of P40, but the running fare for every 300 meters and waiting time for every 2 minutes will increase to P5.50 from P3.50.

Meanwhile, the MCs to be released aim to regulate the operations of TNCs, which include operating hours and identification of units.

Ms. Lizada previously said the LTFRB plans to regulate the number of hours a transport network vehicle (TNV) driver goes online and operates.

She added the board will discuss the possibility of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) using PUV plates.

The MCs will formalize the planned regulations of LTFRB on TNCs, which the LTFRB said they consider to be public utilities like taxis and buses.

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