MANILA -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday admitted that the 5,000 special permits for additional ride-hailing services might not be enough to address the increased transportation demand during the holiday rush.

The LTFRB earlier approved 5,000 slots for Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) as part of efforts to accommodate the influx of commuters during the Christmas season. Despite the increase, some commuters noted having a hard time booking their rides due to the unavailability of vehicles.

“Gumawa kami ng pag-aaral dyan, kahit sabihin mo nang 5,000 ang in-approve namin ayon din sa nakita namin hindi naman sabay-sabay na bumabyahe ang mga 5,000 na yan," LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz said.

Grab eyes putting 10,000 more cars on the road in leadup to Christmas season

"At karamihan ay mga part-timers lang. Ibig sabihin mga ride-sharing lang ito, mga papuntang opisina o pauwi na gustong kumita ng konti so hindi ito totally an answer to the transport problem,” he added in a televised briefing.

“Kaya ang ginagawa namin, ine-engganyo namin ang mga TNVS na sana haba-habaan ang mga byahe nila,” he continued.

(We conducted a study, and it showed that even though we approve 5,000 slots, not all of them will be on the roads together. Most of them are part-timers--they only take rides to earn extra income on the way to or coming from work. This is not a total answer to the transport problem, which is why we're encouraging the TNVS to lengthen their trips.)

Grab says most of surge fees go to drivers

Guadiz said that the LTFRB had also appealed to regular taxis to lengthen their operating hours to accommodate the increased passengers.

“Wala na magagawa, 5,000 ito ang maximum ang mabibigay namin ngayon,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Raffy Tulfo vowed to investigate the surge in fees of TNVS, which some commuters grapple grappled with during the holiday season. 

Tulfo said a hearing on this issue was set for December 10.

"Maraming reklamo ang nakarating sa akin mula sa mga pasaherong gumagamit ng Grab na ayon sa kanila, kasama sa sinisingil na pasahe ng nasabing ride hailing application ang napakalaking surge fee," Tulfo said in a statement.

Surge all day? Grab PH explains surge pricing

Grab earlier said most of surge fees go to drivers to encourage them to ply the roads even during rush hour. 

Tulfo has already gotten in touch with the LTFRB, which had conducted its own investigation on the matter and was set to issue a draft resolution.

The resolution will include possible sanctions for violators.  

LTFRB says prepared for holiday exodus

Meanwhile, Guadiz assured that preparations are in place for the expected exodus of passengers going to the provinces this holiday season. 

The LTFRB Chief says the agency has deployed its personnel in bus terminals to monitor the roadworthiness of the vehicles, and approve special permits for additional trips if necessary.

“May mga nakatalaga kaming tao sa mga terminals. Kapag kulangin ang mga special buses, may on-the-spot na tao na magbibigay ng special permit,” he said.

(We have personnel in the terminals. If there is a lack of special buses, we have personnel who can give special permits on the spot.)

The LTFRB earlier opened the application for the special permits for provincial buses, which will be valid from December 20, 2024, to January 4, 2025.