HOT NEWS : Memorandum Circular No. 2015-025: LTFRB Amends TNVS Memorandum Circular No. 2005-006 and 2012-008 Regarding Required Markings for PUVs - Explained By UAGP Team!

[UPDATE] We received the response from LTFRB regarding on their elaboration of the "PAINT OR DISPLAY" tag line on the Memorandum 2015-025.
See the full post here: http://uberandgrabnews.blogspot.com/2015/11/hot-news-ltfrb-responded-to-our.html

Good day TNVS enthusiasts! It's been a while since we heard from the LTFRB!

Photo from http://www.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/taxi.jpg

Last time, we posted about the LTFRB paintings in the body of our majestic sedans as a hoax.
Now, it seems that there is a change of heart by the LTFRB. Remember that we posted this picture?

Disclaimer: Just to clear things out, the photo below was posted a month ago by a concerned citizen. At the moment, LTFRB changed their decision and amended the memorandum which decides to push the required display of LTFRB hotline. On the other hand, kindly try to read our own interpretation of the memorandum below. Thanks! God speed.

Article way back: http://uberandgrabnews.blogspot.com/2015/10/ltfrbs-hotline-number-needed-to-be-in.html

Well, they still didn't respond on the tweet even if we asked for an update. So, moving on, here is a clear copy of the TNVS memorandum in text! Yes! Text!

Here you go:

============================================

AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2005-006 AND 2012-008 REGARDING REQUIRED MARKINGS FOR ALL PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES.

The Board issued Memorandum Circular No. 2005-006 and 2012-008 requiring markings for all public utility vehicles as a means of preventing, or at the least minimizing, the abuses of public utility drivers.

In order to strengthen the Board's mandate for sale, convenient, comfortable public land transportation and its drive against erring drivers and encourage the riding  public to report abuses of transport  operators/drivers, the Board, in the exercise of its power to promulgate rules and regulations concerning public land based transport, hereby amends this:

1. All public utility vehicles (PUVs) units shall bear the markings:
LTFRB 24/7 Hotline :1342
Text/Viber Hotlines: 0917-550-1342
0998-550-1342

a. For buses,... Well let's cut the chase! We are here for TNCs and TNVS!

b. For sedan vehicles, vans, and similar units, the markings shall have the following sizes:
- Height : 3 inches
- Width : 1 inch
- Thickness : 1/2 inch
- Color : Green
- Location : Rear windshield (upper portion and at both sides)

c. For jeepneys...

2. For Transportation Network Vehicles Service (TNVS) and in consonance with item No. 10 of Memorandum Circular No. 2015-018, the trade dress and LTFRB 24/7 Hotline for the unit shall be displayed during a pre-arranged ride as prescribed in item No. 1 (b) above.

3. All PUVs except TNVS...

4. ALL outside markings must be clearly readable at a distance of at least five (5)  meters.

5. ALL PUVs including TNVS  (during a pre-arranged ride) shall be required to paint or display the following information INSIDE the vehicle where passengers can easily see them:
a. Vehicle Plate Number
b. LTFRB 24/7 hotline
c. Operator's Number
d. Notice on the grant of 20% fare discount to senior citizen's, persons with disabilities, and student.

All operators, whose units are authorized by the Central Office and the National Capital Region Office, are directed to comply with new required markings within sixty (60) days and within ninety (90) days for operators authorized by the Regional Offices from the effectivity hereof. Penalty in the amount of One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) shall be imposed per single offense for non-compliance herewith.

All other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent herewith and hereby amended or suspended accordingly.

The Circular shalle take effect immediately following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and the filing of (3) copies hereof be filled with the UP Law Center pursuant to Presidential Memorandum Circular No. 11, dated 09 October 1992.

So Ordered,
Winston Ginez.

============================================

So let's see, how do we put it first. Hmmm, mind if you read first item 5? It says there that

"shall be required to paint or display".

What did you notice? "PAINT OR DISPLAY" means, you have the option to either paint or display the LTFRB hotline! Displaying by means of sticker, or tarpaulin maybe? It's up to you as long as you DISPLAY the hotline.

Does that heal your broken souls? Not yet? Okay, let's move on to another item. Mind reading item no. 2? It also says there the word "DISPLAYED". In this item, we have to confirm yet via LTFRB if it needs to be painted, but based on our understanding, it doesn't seem to show there that it is needed to be PAINTED, right guys? So cheer up! Have some beer! Relax.

So that's it guys, we will just give you updates on our communication with LTFRB with the paint job and stuff.

God speed!

God bless the Philippines!

Why Do More Riders Take An Uber Than A Cab At Midnight?

Usually taking a cab going home?

Don't you know that it will cost you less when you take an Uber than take a taxi by midnight --
Not because Uber lowered their rates! But --
It is because there is less traffic!

You may ask us: "Why will the traffic affect my fare? And wouldn't it just be the same if I just take a cab?"

Photo by http://8tracks.com/lizzylizard/night-drive-in-a-city

Well to show you clearly, here is an example:

We usually take a cab from GMA to Monumento and the fare is usually around P160 in the afternoon given that there is a light traffic. By midnight, one of our fellow here takes a cab also from GMA to Monumento and the fare is usually around P150.

Now let's compare it with Uber's price. The following scenarios doesn't contain an Uber Surge pricing (Surge pricing, as discussed in the Uber's site, raises the fare amount by a certain multiplier depending on the scarcity of Uber drivers near you. This is being done to encourage more drivers to accommodate a certain spot in the map which has surge pricing)
 If we use Uber by the afternoon given the same pick-up, destination, time, and traffic, our fare is usually around P160-170. That's a whopping 10php more than taking a cab in the afternoon BUT that 10php is also worth the comfort and safety of your ride.

Now, here comes the catch! We also took an Uber ride by midnight given the same pick-up, destination, time, and traffic, and -- our fare just cost around P135-145. That is a whoppin' 15-25php lower compared to a cab ride!

If you would let us elaborate on why did this sorcery occur, here it goes! UberX, a type of Uber ride, charges its riders with a minimum flat rate of P40. An additional P5.70 per kilometer will be added to your fare as your ride sails. For the whole duration, you will be charged 2php per minute


Disclaimer: We do not mean any harm to any taxi drivers on our post but we are just sharing one of our experiences with Uber! Isn't it cool to save more than spend more?


Next stop: GrabCar experience!



Be sure to check out our next post! :D

Spread the Uber and GrabCar love!



God bless the Philippines!

Why Ride A GrabCar?

Why ride a GrabCar?

Photo by http://uberandgrabnews.blogspot.com

Taxi photo from http://www.cliparthut.com/clip-arts/108/taxi-driver-cartoon-108074.jpg

BMW photo from http://www.cliparthut.com/bmw-car-clip-art-clipart-F9It7Q.html

NO FALLING IN LINE. NO HAILING.

• Get your ride by requesting on their app.
• The GrabCarDriver will go to your pick-up location; Chauffeur style.

GOT REJECTED BASED ON YOUR DESTINATION?
GrabCar drivers will only reject your request when:

• Your destination is outside Metro Manila (Ask your driver if he will allow outside MM dest.)
• You have a pet along with you (It depends if your driver allows pet inside his/her car)
• Your driver won't reach you within 5-10 minutes because of extreme traffic (Carmageddon)
• The Metro Manila is now a big ocean (Extreme Carmageddon)

TIRED OF EXCESS PAYMENT NOT BEING RETURNED?

• GrabCar makes sure that every excess payment will be returned to you!
• If not, kindly contact their customer support hotline at +638837100 or contract their e-mail address "support.mnl@grabtaxi.com"

TIRED OF TEXTING YOUR LOCATION FROM TIME TO TIME?

• You can now share your ETA via SMS/FB with a live map showing your current location. Your loved ones will now surely be more confident than ever that your ride is going on the right track!

This post is as promised to GrabCar lovers because recently, we posted a promotional poster like this for UBER lovers (See this link).

We both love TNVS! So better download their applications on your phone right now and request a 5-star ride you've never imagined! You can see our header for the download links of their apps.

God bless the Philippines!

Why Ride An Uber?

Why ride an UBER?

Photo by http://uberandgrabnews.blogspot.com

Taxi photo from http://www.cliparthut.com/clip-arts/108/taxi-driver-cartoon-108074.jpg

BMW photo from http://www.photoshopchop.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1128 by GSX4G63

NO FALLING IN LINE. NO HAILING.

• Get your ride by requesting on their app.
• The UBER Driver will go to your pick-up location; Chauffeur style.

TIRED OF EXCESS PAYMENT NOT BEING RETURNED?

• UBER payments are on a cashless basis!
• UBER charges their customers via their credit/debit card.

GOT REJECTED BASED ON YOUR DESTINATION?
UBER drivers will only reject your request when:

• Your destination is outside Metro Manila (Ask your driver if he will allow outside MM dest.)
• You have a pet along with you (It depends if your driver allows pet inside his/her car)
• Your driver won't reach you within 5-10 minutes because of extreme traffic (Carmageddon)

OLD MODEL RIDES GIVE YOU THE CREEPS?

• All UBER cars are of 2012 models and above.

FRIENDS DON'T BELIEVE YOU'RE ON THE WAY?

• You can share your ETA with a live map to show them how long and where your trip is.

We are not bias to UBER! We both love GrabCar and UBER. Don't worry GrabCar lovers, we will also post an image like this for GrabCar afterwards!

God bless the Philippines!

GrabCar And UBER Advantages: Why Should You Ride An UBER Or A GrabCar?

Disclaimer: We have nothing against taxis. We just compared these two new modes of transportation with taxis because it's the closest PUV to be compared with the two. We never suggested on this post that you take GrabCar or UBER instead of a Taxi. We are just showing the advantages of taking these two new modes of transportation.

Some may be wondering on what UBER and GrabCar really is? Are they both taxi companies? Expensive rent-a-car service?

UBER Logo from http://www.chuckgallagher.com/

Well, here are some points about UBER and GrabCar.

1.) UBER and GrabCar are also both Public Utility vehicles which serves just like a taxi but not basically a taxi. The two are different from a taxi by means of its looks, cleanliness, and its being safer than a taxi. Why? Let me point out this item:

• UBER and GrabCar are vehicles which are 2012 model vehicles and beyond; Taxis still have old models being used on the road which sometimes (not all of the time)  are not being well-maintained.
• UBER and GrabCar are private vehicles. Just take this event as an example: imagine yourself getting off a Toyota Vios 2015 model in front of the party place you're gonna roll in! Isn't that cool? Both also has their premium services which offers SUV and premium cars like Montero, Fortuner, Camry, and etc. How terrific is that? Getting off a Toyota Fortuner in front of th event you're attending.
• Safer in means of seeing the name of the driver, his picture, his vehicle brand/model, and his plate number which you could share via text or social media the details of your ride. The one who you shared your ride with could track your ride by looking on the map provided by the link which shows your ride's exact location. Unlike taxis, your loved ones could only track you by means of texting you, calling you, or tracking you by your phone's built-in tracking feature or using an application. We never said that riding a Taxi isn't safe at all but we are just pointing that it is more safe riding an UBER/GrabCar because of its feature of tracking the ride of the rider through online/gps.

GrabCar Logo from www.grabcar.com

2.) Tired of hailing a cab late at night, outside your vicinity, or getting rejected because of your out-of-the-way or traffic-prone destination? Worry not! UBER and GrabCar are app-based mode of transportation which can only be hailed via booking a ride on their application on mobile phones. You can search for their applications on Google Play store or App store: Uber and Grab Taxi. See header for links of the download sites. After setting your pick-up and destination on the applicaiton, a driver will be assigned to you as soon as a driver is available near you and accepts your request. After a driver is assigned to you, you can see the driver's and vehicle's info on your screen. This is cool because both UBER and GrabCar will pick you up based on the pick-up location you put on your request.

3.) Is the thought "This could be a lot more expensive than a taxi!" running on your mind? Well, let us answer that!

Photo from newsroom.uber.com

Let us elaborate first the means of payment on UBER:

• UBER payments are made through Credit Card ONLY as of today. Meaning, your ride will be cashless! Worry no more of payment change that are not given by the drivers! Also, worry not if you do not have money to hail a cab! UBER is your savior! well that's off topic so let me discuss how UBER charge their customers. UBER has a flat rate of 40php (for UberX). Then for every kilometer your ride would be, you will be charged 5.70php per kilometer. Then for the whole duration of the trip regardless on whether your vehicle is in stationary or not, you will be charged 2php per minute. Based on our experience, UBER rides are sometimes more expensive than Taxi rides by 10 to 30php on daylight due to traffic but on night time with less traffic, it may cost same or may be lower than a taxi ride! Sweet, isn't it? But there is sometimes a catch, in the event that your location has no drivers nearby, there is this thing called "Surge" on which this multiplier will multiply your payment depending on the Surge multiplier displayed on your area. So better check your Fare Estimate on their application first before booking!

Photo from technology.inquirer.net

Now let me elaborate GrabCar's means of charging their passengers:

• GrabCar, on the other hand, offers a fixed fare! Meaning, no other factors like time will affect your fare. Just as easy as that! Pay the fixed fare the Grab app showed your before requesting your booking, then VOILAAA!! GrabCar is more expensive than Uber depending on the time. Their fare depends on the time you book your ride. For example, a 9km ride at 1pm will cost you 245php, a 9km ride at 2pm will cost you 283php, a 9km ride at 1am will cost you 144php. So depending on the time of the day and the distance, the Grab app will give you the computed fare you have to pay by Cash to the driver. So far, Grab Cars only accepts cash as their mode of payment. So better ready those papers and coins!

So far, have we helped you understand the advantages of the two new modes of transpo? Well, we believe we did! It's still up to you on whether to ride a taxi or use these app-based PUVs which are products of innovation.

We think that we have pointed the important points you all must know so far. We will just post another part of this post after brainstorming if we could think of other advantages of these two new transpo modes.

You have some advantages to share? Email or tweet us at @uberandgrabnews.

Thanks everyone and God bless Philippines!