Gov’t more bent on modernizing public transport than TVNS

BAGUIO CITY – The government is bent on improving and modernizing the existing public transport systems in the country more than promoting the TVNS (transportation network vehicle
services) system.
The government is prioritizing to modernize existing public transport systems around the country like taxis, jeepneys and other fixed-route transportation so that Filipinos no longer need to avail of TNVS, Transportation DOTr Undersecretary Mark Richmond de Leon said on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
De Leon, together with Assistant Sec. Edgar Galvante and Land Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Atty. Martin Delgra presided over the turn-over rites of the DOTr –Cordillera from Engr. Robert Santiago to now Land Transportation Office (LTOCordillera) Regional Director Francis Almora Thursday morning here.
Almora, formerly headed the Law Enforcement Service of the LTO Central Office before being appointed to the LTOCordillera while Engr. Santiago will be serving at the LTFRB Central Office.
Woes like government monitoring and regulation of TNVS abound, USec. de Leon said, citing difficulties of knowing if those under this system “satisfy” the riding public.
Some 65,000 vehicles are within the TNVS in Metro Manila alone. “There is no means to verify if all those 65,000 are running and providing the public with good and efficient services that they are supposed to provide,” the DOTr official said.
“The need of the general public and sinasatisfy natin,” Asst. Sec. Galvante said.
While LTFRB chairman Delfin Gelgra noticed that “you are depriving the public of transportation” via TNVS where more of them are only part-time service providers like 5 hours or less, he said, “We want a 24-hour public transport system.”
A modernized public transport system is what we need now, Usec de Leon added. When we have a modernized public transport, ”kahit mayayaman sasakay sila jan.”
DOTr chief Arthur Tugade, according to Usec de Leon, has just ordered Regional offices of the LTO and LTFRB to look into possibilities of introducing a “Premium Taxi” system in major cities around the country.
This is a higher level service like using high end vehicles like Toyota Camry, BMW, Vans, Lexus vehicles as “premium taxis” that will cater to the higher-end consumers.
We are aping other countries around the world where tourists and consumers are enticed to the services of these “premium taxis”, de Leon said.
 
Ace Alegre/ABN
 

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