Is It Over for Uber and GrabCar

“Pakidagdagan na lang po. Traffic e.” “Magkano po bayad nyo dun?” These are just few of the excuses of most of the regular taxi drivers in Metro Manila before accepting a passenger for a ride especially during rush hours or peak season. Aside from overcharging fares, crimes like robbery, hold-up, kidnapping, rape, and others involving taxi drivers were reported for the past years. Because of these, when GrabCar and Uber, an app-based transport services, were introduced in the public, many commuters in Metro Manila patronized them. Why? Because it is safe, reliable and convenient. They have a feedback rating system where a passenger can rate and comment on the driver’s service. It provides driver’s information like photo, contact number, car model and plate number which you can save and share to your family. Aside from these, Uber and GrabCar are now gaining popularity among private car owners who wish to earn extra money. Owners can just hire their driver or drive their own car and use Uber and GrabCar to provide transport services.

Now, here comes the Government. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) are going after the only reliable transport service in the country. One automotives journalist James Deakin even said in his twitter account that the LTFRB and the DOTC are being “so unreasonably hard on Uber.” These agencies wanted them to operate legally in the Philippines by requiring them to apply to be Transport Network Companies and their individual vehicle operators to secure franchise. They even required them to apply for BIR registration. But the story doesn’t stop there.  The Quezon City Regional Trial Court just suspended the operations of app-based transport services Uber and GrabCar for 20 days. The court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the DOTC and LTFRB to stop accepting future applications to operate Uber and GrabCar units.

        One transport service group said that taxi drivers suffer lower income because of the oversupply of Uber and GrabCar units in the streets of Manila. With the expected traffic this coming holiday, this TRO will greatly affect those who patronize the app-based transport services.  But who is to blame? Every day is a struggle for commuting public. The public would rather choose these app-based services than wait in line for regular taxis only to be rejected because you live too far or the route is congested. The public would rather pay for more expensive fare through Uber and Grabcar than ride PUVs or buses that are often crowded and unsafe. The Government should do something instead of going after these companies. The Government should fix our transportation system so the public will not rely on Uber, GrabCar and other app-service operated transport system.

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