By Patrizia P. C. Marcelo

THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has increased the number of ride-sharing vehicles in order to meet demand.

In its new memorandum circular (MC), which revises a previous MC, the LTFRB increased to 65,000 its common supply base for transport network vehicle services (TNVS) in Metro Manila (from 45,000), to 1,500 in Metro Cebu (from 500), and to 250 in Pampanga (from 200).

The LTFRB revised its figures after considering factors like the number of active and inactive TNVS, and churn rate.

Board Member Aileen Lourdes A. Lizada said in a press conference that the number will be able to serve at least 75% of requested bookings per day, against the 60% served by transport network companies (TNCs) Uber Philippines (Uber Systems, Inc.) and Grab Philippines (MyTAXI.PH, Inc).

Hatchback models, which were prohibited in the previous order, will be allowed for a transition period of three years. However, they will not be allowed to operate in Laguna, Bulacan, Rizal, and Cavite. They will also be charging lower fares.

The new MC will be effective by the end of the month. The LTFRB on March 5 will resume processing of pending TNVS applications, postponed last July.

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