TRIPDA, a ridesharing smartphone application, “started” in the Philippines on Thursday but the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said drivers should wait first for the new government rules before charging customers for the service.
In an interview on Thursday, LTFRB chair Winston Ginez said the agency was still working on revising existing regulations for technology-based transportation applications like Tripda and Uber.
Drivers using these apps before the new rules are issued will be considered colorum, he said.
“They [Tripda] were invited in the hearing held on Nov. 24 and they told us about their business model. We are now reviewing their position and our findings will be considered in our decision-making (on the rules),” Ginez said.
The Tripda model allows the linking of drivers who have empty seats in their vehicles with passengers traveling in a similar route.
He said this model would likely be classified as an “online-enabled transportation service.” This is different from the car-for-hire rule being eyed for Uber.
He noted that drivers using the Tripda platform to ferry passengers before the new rules were out would be doing so at their own risk.
“What is clear right now is private vehicles being used to ferry passengers, as the law now prescribes, require a certificate of public convenience,” Ginez said.
The LTFRB chair’s comment was sought as Germany’s Rocket Internet, which is partly owned by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., said it had launched its Tripda platform in the Philippines yesterday.
As noted, the app was meant to encourage car pooling which, it said, was attractive to drivers and passengers since they could cut down costs by splitting the fuel tab.
Given the model of the app, passengers will pay drivers only with cash, Tripda said in the statement.
The app is also relatively new but has met early success. Within the space of just five months, Tripda has successfully established itself in 12 countries around the globe including Malaysia, Singapore, Brazil and the US, Rocket Internet said.
The platform will initially focus on trips within Metro Manila and later on expand to other regions, Tripda said.
In other jurisdictions, the app can be used for longer-range travel making it a viable alternative to buses, trains and short flights.
In terms of security, the platform verifies drivers and passengers in multiple ways and runs checks.
“The Philippines has thus far proved itself to be very open to what we are offering. Our growing community in the Philippines is giving us supportive and positive feedback, and we can really see Tripda taking off here,” said Pedro Meduna, Tripda co-founder and CEO for emerging markets.
The Brazilian-born startup already has tens of thousands of registered users and has facilitated rides for many thousands of passengers, the statement showed.
Technology-based transportation applications have been under government scrutiny and have met resistance from taxi cab operators.
Last month, an Uber driver was arrested for operating without the necessary franchise but the action has drawn condemnation from netizens, prompting the Department of Transportation and Communications to consider a more accommodating approach.