MANILA: The Philippine authorities have suspended accepting and processing applications for Uber, GrabCar, and Uhop in Metro Manila.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has directed its technical division and regional offices not to accept any applications for transportation network vehicle services (TNVS), particularly those of Uber, GrabCar, and Uhop proposing to ply the route within Metro Manila or entering Metro Manila, reported Rappler.
Transportation Spokesperson Cherie Mercado reportedly said the circular was issued due to the rising volume of TNVS applications and the department’s review of the fare scheme.
As of July 15 this year, the transportation department said applications for TNVS units rose to 29,151, the report said.
The department reportedly said there are 5,727 pending applications for GrabCar units, 23,292 for Uber units, and 131 for Uhop units.
In October last year, TNVS applications were only at about 3,500, said the news portal.
LTFRB reportedly said the suspension of TNVS applications will take effect once the circular is published in at least one newspaper.
This is the second time the government has suspended accepting TNVS applications.
In December 2015, a Quezon City court ordered the government to stop accepting Uber and GrabCar applications for 20 days.
This was after the LTFRB faced complaints on the accreditation of TNVS, particularly the issue of oversupply of Uber and GrabCar units, reported Rappler.
