Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya challenged taxi operators to modernize and improve their services to keep pace with the changing demands of time, with competition in the transportation sector heating up due to the proliferation of carpooling services in and around Metro Manila.
The transport chief recognized the new trend that has been penetrating the market for a few months now. He observed that commuters prefer tech-based transport services because of their convenience.
“People prefer to use these tech-based transport services because they are more convenient. It’s that simple. So my advice to taxi operators: modernize, innovate and improve your systems and services,” he said.
He also questioned the motive of taxi operators complaining about the carpooling services of the likes of Uber, Grab Taxi and Easy Taxi.
“Commuters say they feel safer taking these private vehicles-for-hire; that the fleet are newer, that app services are faster and more efficient. So why put a stop to what is clearly for their benefit? Poorer services should be upgraded to match their competition—not the other way around,” the transport chief added.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have begun crafting improvements to regulations, which currently classify vehicles offering services through Uber and similar apps as illegal or colorum.
This move came after the transport chief called on the government to support, rather than obstruct, the use of technology in solving transport problems.
The LTFRB has identified the existing “vehicles-for-hire” category as the likely classification for such vehicles, once its scope is updated to accommodate new technological solutions.
In an inquiry at the House of Representatives earlier this week, LTFRB Chairman Winston M. Ginez reported that his office will conduct a hearing on Monday in relation to the proposed updating of land transport rules and regulations.
The hearing will also discuss the status of Uber vehicles that are currently deemed illegitimate by law.
As the DOTC is pushing to expedite the process of updating old rules to meet today’s technologies, it is also formulating a taxi-reform program to mandate improved services to the public.
“The ideal result of these developments is for taxi operations to modernize and improve, as well as this will benefit commuters. I want minimum upgrading requirements such as booking systems through mobile devices, newer and well-maintained fleets, and highly-trained drivers whose identities are disclosed to passengers,” Abaya said.
Ginez earlier ran after carpooling services provider Uber as its operations were deemed illegal then. It was the first app-based taxi-ordering firm to be apprehended by the regulator.