With Uber’s suspension of their transportation services, commuters continue to express their disappointments upon disabling the application.
Kirk Roncesvalles, 23, an academe faculty, regular user of the App Uber says that the suspension of Uber adds only to the increasing transportation dilemmas to the commuters.
“It hampers the convenience and security that Uber provides. I am personally saddened by this suspension for it reflects how LTFRB puts less premium for commuters’ welfare and well-being.” Roncesvalles said.
Another regular user of Uber, Johnedel Tayam, 23, Engineer, expressed through an interview on how disappointed he was when he found out that his main transportation got suspended.
“With the busy city we have, the only transportation I considered safe and efficient is Uber. I don’t have to worry about going to work late or coming to the office stinky because I know that I am safe and comfortable while riding Uber. Now, I have to leave my house 2 hours in advance just for me to avoid the traffic and fellow commuters running after public transportation,” Tayam said.
The suspension of Uber made netizens react negatively in social media sites.
Netizens have been sharing their disappointments and opinions regarding the suspension using the hashtag #ubersuspension.
Here are some of their tweets:
JV Ejercito @jvejercito
“Be rest assured that we have the interest of the riding public as priority. Hoping we can come up with a compromise.” #ubersuspension
thatsmybryan @thatsmybryan
“Hi @LTFRB you’re making the commuters means of transportation worst.”#ubersuspension
Viper @viperrr89
“Why would you suspend @Uber when you can’t even provide a safe and efficient transportation for your working class citizens.” #ubersuspension
Hairy Potter @instantmaki
“When @LTFRB suspends @Uber_PH but pushes a new taxi hailing app. Something fishy is going on.”#ubersuspension
F.R. Aldiano @asFranSees
“Is it really a move to protect us people or your pride as “government”? What we’re seeing is the latter @LTFRB.” #ubersuspension
Dom @___nico09
“You dont create policies that directly attack the middle class, Duterte. Uhmm French Revolution?!” #UberSuspension
Carlo Ople @carloople
“I’m still stunned with the Uber 1 month suspension of the LTFRB. They should have just fined them heavily.” 
#ltfrb #ubersuspension
Vann 🌈 @bigvanntheory
Saddest part of my day 😦 #ubersuspension #WeWantUberGrab
Zonily @kuyazee
“Come on guys we need more signatures.” #Uber #WhyWeUber #LTFRB #LTFRB101 #UberPH #ubersuspension #ubersuspended
See: Netizens react to Uber suspension in twitter
Here are netizen’s facebook reactions:
See: Additional interviews
Commuters’ satisfaction rate on Uber
In a comparative study conducted by Nistal and Regidor of University of the Philippines, commuters feel safer when they have have their own personal driver. Their study also concludes that Uber has much better services compared to taxicabs.
Furthermore, Uber offers information dissemination and convenience in travelling because of the comfort of the cars and GPS used to monitor the commuter’s desired location.
Also the study concludes that commuters chose Uber over regular cabs in the assumption that both services have similar price ranger, although it has a huge difference when it comes to safety, efficiency, and convenience.
Source: http://ncts.upd.edu.ph/tssp/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Nistal-Regidor.pdf
The figure shows that commuters have a higher usage, choice of transportation, and efficiency rate compared to using of regular cabs.
See: Comparative Study of Uber and Regular Taxi Service Characteristics
In a survey conducted by Taxi Fare Finder Site in 2016 regarding the satisfaction rate of commuters towards Uber drivers.
Source: https://www.google.com.ph/searchq=satisfaction+rate+uber+in+the+philippines&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjO3pOx99rVAhWDGpQKHSk1CCsQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=613#imgrc=sHUGEUCd1xUg7M:
What led to Uber’s suspension
Source: https://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/ltfrb-shuts-down-uber-for-one-month.html
Uber operations have been halt by the the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday, August 14 due to non-adherence of accepting drivers coming in to Uber’s system.
The order was signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III and board members Ronaldo Corpus and Aileen Lourdes Lizada.
LTFRB ordered Uber to stop accepting incoming drivers into their system in order to avoid providing false expectations to their drivers can be in public transportation without complying essential permits from the board.
The suspension will last for one month, affecting more or less 66,000 Uber drivers.
On July 26, 2017, LTRFB ordered all Transport Network Companies (TNCs) to stop giving accreditation to drivers into their systems. However, Uber, activated and accepted 3 more vehicles on July 27.
This incident sparked the suspension of Uber, defying the board’s order.
LTFRB cautioned Uber that they will be held responsible for all their vehicles who are still accommodating passengers within the suspension period.
The order reads: “While the Board commiserates with the plight of Uber’s affected TNVS peers, after a thorough and painstaking deliberation, the Board is constrained to impose the penalty of One (1) month suspension on the accreditation of the Respondent Uber System Inc., and is hereby ordered to cease and desist its operation of their online booking application during the period of suspension.”
Side of Uber
“being accepted but not processed”
On August 1, Uber posted on their Twitter account that vehicle applicants are “being accepted but not processed, as we are optimistic that with the ongoing discussions with the LTFRB, ridesharing has a path forward.”
Uber also argued that accepting new applicants does not mean to give new vehicles to be activated.
On the contrary, On July 27, Uber accepted three more vehicles, which one of the three vehicles was registered under LTRFB.
When LTFRB asked Uber to operationally define “active”, Uber explained that whenever it can dispatch a trip or are available for booking rides under (its) system.
Furthermore, LTFRB said that the three vehicles accepted on July 27th were already considered as “active” after going through the process of activation and online registration.
See: CNN Report on LTFRB Suspending Uber Operation
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