RIDE-HAILING app Grab will set new normal protocol once they are given the go signal to operate in Cebu.
Grab Cebu senior city manager Raymond Dejan told SunStar Cebu, Monday, June 1, 2020 that drivers are now required to open the doors for their passengers and they can rightfully cancel the ride if their passengers are not following health protocol like wearing of masks.
“We have been training our drivers for the new normal set-up and also required a stricter disinfection and sanitation process for their units,” he said.
Dejan said drivers will need to make sure their units are clean after every booking. They must have available alcohol or disinfectants.
Moreover, Grab-accredited vehicles will have to undergo a full disinfection twice a week from Grab’s 30 partner carwash stations that follow the guidelines of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Grab remained unavailable on Cebu City’s first day of general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1.
Dejan said they are still in the process of securing a special permit to operate from the LTFRB and provincial public utility passes for drivers who live in Cebu Province.
“Not all will be activated as we will do it per batch but for now, we are still communicating with LTFRB on how many units will be fielded initially,” he said.
Before Covid-19, Grab activated 1,500 units for GrabCar and 3,000 for its GrabTaxi services.
Dejan said they are targeting to secure the permits within the week so their partner-drivers can start plying the roads as soon as possible.
The transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) are permitted to operate under the GCQ.
Under the GCQ guidelines for TNVS issued on May 31, taxis and TNVS shall follow the guidelines mandated under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2020-018 which includes the wearing of masks and gloves, sealing off of driver compartment from passenger area using non-permeable, transparent material, passenger limit of three excluding driver, online booking and cashless transactions and maintenance of daily passenger manifest or logbook.