Cashless payment required for all taxis, TNVS in GCQ areas

For TNVS operators under transport network companies (TNC), such as Grab Philippines, the memo circular stated that bookings and payments must be made “strictly through an online facility or electronic payment only.” (File photo: Carla Cervantes/Unsplash)

MANILA – All taxis and transport network vehicle services (TNVS) operating in areas placed under general community quarantine would be required to implement cashless or online payment for all transactions to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In its Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-018 released on Friday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to allow taxis and TNVS with a valid certificate of public convenience (CPC) or provisional authority (PA) to operate starting May 16 in adherence to certain guidelines.

For TNVS operators under transport network companies (TNC), such as Grab Philippines, the memo circular stated that bookings and payments must be made “strictly through an online facility or electronic payment only.”

The TNVS units must be currently registered with a valid personal passenger insurance policy.

For taxi operators with a valid CPC or PA, units must be equipped with an “internet/web-based app provided by an accredited TNC, for purposes of booking and online payment transactions.”

“Street-hailed” taxis must have their taxi meters calibrated and were directed to enroll or register with electronic payment providers for the purpose of cashless transactions.

Taxis are also required to have a valid personal passenger insurance policy, aside from other requirements under LTFRB MC 2017-026, such as GNSS receivers, a dashboard camera, closed-circuit television, and an online digital platform or application.

In a Facebook post, the LTFRB said the memo also includes other conditions for the operation of taxis and TNVS in GCQ areas, such as a daily record of passengers for contact tracing that would be made available at the request of LTFRB and other government agencies.

Existing fare rates for taxis and TNVS will apply upon their resumption of operation, it added.

Early in May, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases released public health safety protocols for public transportation in GCQ areas.

These protocols include wearing face masks and gloves at all times by public utility drivers, “no mask, no ride” for commuters, regular disinfection, and reduction of capacity for taxis and TNVS to two persons per row (including the driver).