The government wants taxis and Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) to accept online fare payments to minimize direct contact and avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Monday’s Facebook post of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) cited this as part of Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2020-018 released on May 15, 2020 for taxis and TVNS that will operate in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).
“For taxi operators, taxi meters should be calibrated, and drivers of ‘street-hailed’ taxis should be registered with online payment services for cashless transactions,” the LTFRB said.
Also required from taxis and TNVS to operate are a valid Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) and a Provisional Authority (PA), it said.
The LTFRB said the maximum 50 percent passenger load should be strictly implemented in compliance with the physical distancing protocol.
MC No. 2020-020 encouraged public utility vehicles that use the expressways to install Radio Frequency IDs for faster and contact-less transactions as they begin operating in areas under GCQ and modified enhanced community quarantine.
Under Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, violators of these guidelines would be subjected to fines and/or cancellation of CPC or PA. (Jojo Mangahis)