A coalition of transport network vehicle services (TNVS) drivers and operators representing over 25,0000 members have expressed their willingness to work with government regulators and policymakers to improve ride-hailing services in the country, and have committed to do their part to lessen the burdens of the commuting public.
In a press conference on Monday following a meeting of various TNVS groups and organizations, TNVS CommUNITY spokesperson Bobby Coronel said that “we want to be an integral part of the solution to the perennial problem of our country’s public transportation, especially Metro Manila.”
“Nakikiisa po kami sa kalunos-lunos na problema ng ating mga mananakay, ang mahahabang pila sa LRT, MRT, pati na sa mga bus ng Carousel, taxi, jeep, tricycle, at e-bike, para lang makapasok sa trabaho at makauwi sa bahay,” said Coronel.
The longtime TNVS driver said that they were also aware of the concerns of TNVS riders, concerns they heard directly from their passengers.
“Higit sa lahat,” said Coronel, “hindi din po lingid sa amin ang hinaing ng ating mga pasahero sa TNVS. Direk po naming naririnig lahat yan sa tuwing kami ay nakikipagkwentuhan sa mismong mga pasahero namin.”
“Kaya hangad po sana naming makipagtulungan sa ating gobyerno at sa mga mambabatas, lalong-lalo na sa kagalang-galang sa Senador Grace Poe, upang malayos at mapaganda ang aming serbisyo.”
According to Saturnino Mopas, head of the Transport Network Vehicle Representatives, one of the TNVS groups in attendance, they are part of a growing community of 25,000 drivers and operators who belong to close to 100 different TNVS groups based in different parts of Metro Manila.
The TNVS leader added that he hoped the media would help establish that their coalition was a credible voice of the TNVS sector, and that one of the objectives of their press conference was to clarify disinformation being spread by quarters pretending to represent the drivers and operators of TNVS.
Mopas shared that “sila rin po ay agresibong lumalapit sa iba’t-ibang sangay ng gobyerno at sa mga mambabatas, ngunit hindi po nila naipararating ang tunay na disposisyon ng mga TNVS drivers.”
Calvin Manalo from the Unity of Leaders for TNVS Community, another member of the coalition, stressed that it was vital that policymakers hear from genuine TNVS drivers and operators as they could provide a more accurate picture of the state of their sector.
“Gusto po namin na mapakinggan din kami at malaman din ninyo ang aming mga tunay na sentimiyento bilang mga driver na tunay na sumasabak sa kalye sa araw at gabi upang kumayod para sa aming mga pamilya,” stressed Manalo.
“Sa tuwing may pagbabago sa regulasyon at polisiya, naapektuhan din po ang aming hanapbuhay at pamilya.”