TNVS resumes: Things you need to know

Romar Fernando

June 17, 2020

• Under the general community quarantine (GCQ) policies, mass transportation will be open to public with limited to 50% of its capacity, obviously with exceptions to UV vans and public utility jeepneys.

  Well, for some, it’s kind of a relief, because as limited workforce started to function once again, limited transportation is somehow, available as well.

  Started in June 1, 2020, a ride-hailing application and Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) Grab resumed its operation. Though only 2,025 were accredited by the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB), it is surely a lifesaver, not just for passengers, but also for the drivers.

  GrabCar is back but old customs don’t. Here are the things you should know.

   

  #GrabContactlessRide

  The hashtag is a safety campaign launched by Grab primarily to communicate both to drivers and passengers that the threat of COVID-19 remains at large.

  

  Photo Credit: Grab

  In order to have a safe and COVID-free ride, Grab published some restrictions for a contactless journey.

  Drivers should be the one to open and close car doors for passengers upon entry and exit of the vehicle. If passengers carry and possess cumbersome belongings, drivers will be opening the compartment and passengers will put those stuff within it. Drivers are not allowed to touch any of the passengers’ belongings.

  Drivers are obliged to disinfect surfaces and touched areas of the vehicle every after ride.

   

  Physical distancing always

  Part of the process is the existence of a physical barrier between drivers and passengers. These see-through barriers are put in place to guarantee contactless activity along the journey.

  Passengers can only sit at the back seats of the vehicle. No one is allowed to ride up front beside the driver. There will be only two passengers allowed per ride. To maintain physical distance, passengers will sit beside every window.

  

  Photo Credit: Daily Tribune

  Strictly ‘No mask, no ride’

  As the New Normal dictates, wear your face masks at all costs, most especially when you are in public places.

  Drivers and passengers are not allowed to put off their face masks while inside the vehicle. It should be clear for one another. It is part of our sole responsibility for ourselves and for others.

   

  Cancellation of rides

  Drivers have the right to cancel and refuse a ride when somebody else booked for you, when more than two people are booking the ride, when luggage and other stuff do not fit inside the vehicle and truck and when the driver has waited more then five minutes at the pick-up point.

  Drivers are also compelled to refuse a ride when the supposed passenger is not wearing face mask. On the counterpart, passengers can cancel the booking when the driver is not wearing face mask when they arrived at the pickup point. The passenger can select the reason for cancellation as “Driver not wearing face mask.”

   

  GrabCar strike system

  To protect the both drivers and passengers’ interest on the matter of safety, Grab is now implementing new strike system for violations for safety protocol violations.

  

  Screenshot: Grab

  Violations for drivers include those drivers without safety kit or a plastic barrier inside the vehicle. Those drivers who are caught not heedfully and truthfully answering their daily health and temperature check will face violation strike as well. And of course, it is an ultimate violation for a driver when he/she is not wearing a face mask.

  Violations for passengers include bookings going above the allowable passenger limit, COVID-19 positive patients and passengers not wearing face mask.

  Grab emphasized that they are not authorized to transport COVID-19 positive patients to and from the hospital. COVID-19 positive patients are encouraged to reach out the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) or the Department of Health (DOH) hotlines for inquiries.

  Drivers and passengers can report violation from both end through the Help Center. When a passenger gets three reports from drivers, he/she will be banned for 14 days. On the counterpart, passengers can employ before-trip cancellations and feedbacks after ride.

   

  GrabCar verticals

  

  Screenshot: Grab

  GrabCar verticals are those GrabCar Pet, GrabCar Premium, GrabCar Family. They are now disabled until Grab turns it back on.

   

  GrabCar is now cashless

  To lessen physical contact between drivers and passengers, GrabCar is now completely cashless. Experts reiterated since then that virus stays on objects and surfaces for a couple of hours, so as to bills and coins.

  

  Screenshot: Grab

  Before you book a ride, you need to activate first your GrabPay wallet. You can connect your debit or credit cards directly to the GrabPay system or might as well transfer funds from your bank account to your GrabPay wallet.

  GrabPay can also be used on Grab’s other services such as GrabFood, GrabExpress, GrabMart, GrabPabili and other partner shops and merchants.

  For your information, GrabPay is safe and secured for it is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

   

  New routes and operating hours

  

  Screenshot: Grab

  Grab refers their operating schedule to government policies on curfews and modified lockdowns. Curfew hours are still up to certain areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and GCQ that’s why Grab is ending operating hours as earlier than usual.

  For Greater Manila Area (GMA: Metro Manila, certain parts of Cavite, Laguna and Rizal), operations start at 5:00 AM and end at 10:00 PM.

  For Pampanga, specifically Angele City, operating hours will be 5:30 AM to 7:00 PM.

  For Cebu City and Mandaue City in Central Visayas, operations start at 6:00 AM and usually end at 9:00 PM.

   

  For more information, you can access help.grab.com .

  In the new normal, you have to be always ready and equipped.

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