LTFRB: Taxis, TNVS units operating in GCQ must use cashless transaction

MANILA: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has mandated via Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-018 that taxis and TNVS (transport network vehicle service) units under general community quarantine (GCQ) can operate beginning May 16, but only if they can accept payment “strictly through an online facility or electronic payment only.”

Regular taxis must have their meters calibrated and be registered with an electronic payment provider in order to comply with the ‘cashless transaction’ policy of the Board.

Like TNVS unit, taxis are 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.

To facilitate contact tracing, taxis and TNVS units must also have daily record of passengers that can be made available at the request of LTFRB and other government agencies.

Public health safety protocols for public transportation include wearing face masks and gloves at all times by drivers, a “no mask, no ride” policy for commuters, regular disinfection of the vehicles, and reduction of capacity for taxis and TNVS units to two persons per row only (including driver).

Also read: LTFRB: Lessened PUV capacity and ridership mean no post-ECQ traffic