Grab seeks more TNVS slots amid increasing demand

MANILA, Philippines — Ride-hailing company Grab Philippines is asking the government to increase the number of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) slots in Metro Manila back to the pre-pandemic level of 65,000 to keep up with growing demand.

Grab is struggling to serve the ride-hailing demand in Metro Manila, lamenting that TNVS supply is short of the pre-pandemic high of 65,000. The TNVS supply is around 40,000 slots as of end-2023.

Grab Philippines country head Grace Vera Cruz said the TNVS demand nationwide is growing as the economy has picked up pace since the pandemic slowdown.

In Metro Manila, Cruz said the TNVS supply used to be at the 65,000 level before the pandemic.

Grab hopes that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) opens new TNVS slots in the second half of the year to close the gap to pre-pandemic numbers.

“We want the TNVS supply to climb back (to the 65,000 level) because, of course, the areas are also expanding. We are hopeful that we are going to grow,” Cruz said.

Recently, the LTFRB approved more than 4,000 slots for TNVS in the regions, across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, excluding Metro Manila.

Grab is ready to fill these regional slots to provide jobs for drivers and serve the mobility demand in the provinces.

“We have so much demand. In fact, the slots are lacking at the outset, but I can’t say that until we fill up the slots. There are applicants waiting in line to join us in all of those areas,” Cruz said.

Grab plans to introduce its transport services in the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. The ride-hailing leader in Southeast Asia is pursuing this strategy to improve the business viability of tourism markets.

Cruz underscored the need for the public and private sectors to collaborate in resolving the traffic crisis. Grab, for its part, is working with local governments in coming up with specific solutions that would mitigate road congestion in the different areas in the country.