“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”! That, and 5,000 additional TNVS units are already plying our streets for the holiday rush as we speak. In a recent statement, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced the approval and deployment of more Transport Network Vehicle Services to supplement the public transport options that commuters already have.
Additional TNVS units in line with LTFRB’s thrust for efficient and safe public transport for everyone
On December 1, 2024, and according to LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III, additional TNVS slots have been approved by the agency to augment the transportation needs of the general public. The number of additional slots equates to 5,000, according to his statement.
“Iyong special permits ng [The special permits for] TNVS, it opened last week, we have given 5,000 new units for the TNVS,” the LTFRB head said.
The addition of Transport Network Vehicle Services coincides with the LTFRB’s upcoming issuance of special permits for PUVs for the holidays. With these permits, different forms of PUVs can take to the roads and operate legally from December 20, 2024, to January 4, 2025, just to augment the number of public transportation that’s already available.
“For the special permit for Christmas, we will start opening the application on December 15 and then the special permit would be from December 20 to January 4,” Chairman Guadiz explained. That said, the Chairman also cautioned against the use of fake, illegal, or colorum TNVS in the name of safety and security.
Since traffic always gets worse over the December and January holidays, the sheer number of existing vehicles on the road be it public or private already finds themselves stuck in traffic as it is. With even more bound for, if not already driving along the roads, we can only expect jams to get longer and more, how should we put it, “annoying”.
But this is, a means to help those who might need a means of commuting, right?
We just wish the powers that be find real and more long-term solutions to these woes, though. These woes that, as a matter of fact, do not only rear their heads during the holidays but on every single day in the life of every Filipino and Filipina commuter.