The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has opened 10,300 more slots for transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) units operating in Metro Manila which will be available starting April 17.
The opening of more TNVC slots is contained in the LTFRB Board Resolution No. 022 Series of 2023.
LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz II said the opening of additional TNVS slots is necessary in order to maintain a sufficient number of TNVS to supply the existing demand.
“We deemed it vital to add TNVS slots at this time as more people go out for work or for leisure. The Board expects demand for transportation services to grow even further, especially at the onset of the dry/warm season where more people will travel,” said Guadiz.
On February 12, 2018, the LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular No. 2018-005 that revised the common supply base of TNVS in Metro Manila to 65,000 TNVS units, 1,500 TNVS units in Metro Cebu and 250 TNVS units in Pampanga.
Based on LTFRB data, there are 8,396 TNVS units with issued Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) and Provisional Authority (PA) currently operating in the Metro Manila.
This is significantly lower than the 65,000 TNVS ceiling, thus necessitating the need to increase the TNVS slots as demand is expected to grow.
In February this year, the LTFRB also announced that it would open 100,000 slots to TNVS.
Initially, the LTFRB announced that it would be allocated for Grab Philippines but a few weeks later, it backpedaled and said it would be open to all TNVS due to criticisms.