The LTFRB revealed their plan on starting their own app-based ride sharing taxi service called Premium Taxi – after giving similar services Uber and GrabCar until August 20 to secure a franchise under a new transport category before it starts to be cracked down and treated as “colorum” vehicles.
As stated from their official Facebook page:
Interested parties are cordially invited to a public consultation on Friday, July 24, 10:00 at 4th Floor, LTFRB Bldg., East Avenue, QC, regarding the issuance of new franchises for PREMIUM TAXI.
“Premium Taxi” is a four or five door automobile, sedan type, with engine displacement of 2000 cc or higher (or its equivalent, if electric-, hybrid-, or alternate fuel-Powered vehicle).
As per DOTC Department Order No. 2015-011, Premium Taxis’ major operating conditions are:
1. The operator must have at least twenty (20) premium taxi units in his/her fleet;
2. All vehicles must be brand-new at the time of franchise application;
3. All vehicles must be in color set by the LTFRB (Note: It is proposed that the color will be black);
4. All vehicles shall have a maximum age of 7 years;
5. All vehicles must be equipped with a GPS vehicle tracking and navigation device;
6. All vehicles must be equipped with an on-board electric taxi fare payment device capable of processing payments made with credit card or debit card;
7. The operator must have a facility for booking and dispatching by way of an online or smartphone-based application; and
8. The operator must have his/her own workshop and depot with a space of at least 15 sq.m. per vehicle.
The draft of the Memorandum Circular on the Implementing Guidelines in the Issuance of Franchises for Premium Taxi may be downloaded from our website (www.ltfrb.gov.ph) starting tomorrow.
With the announcement of the new service alongside with the shutting down of other competitors, netizens couldn’t help but think that this is just some way to eliminate the competition.
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