MANILA – Newly accredited ride-hailing apps using metered taxis can curb "choosy" drivers as online bookings are done through the app where faces and plate numbers of drivers are seen, a transport official said on Tuesday.

“Kailangan po ang mga taxi ngayon ay mayroon taxi app. So they can go to either MiCab, Hype, Grab [Taxi] or Hirna,” Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) member Atty. Aileen Lizada told DZMM.

“When you book a taxi, ito na ang ating ilalagay para mawala ang isnaberong taxi. Makikita niyo ang plate number, makikita niyo ang mukha ng driver ninyo at kung ano ang metro yun lang ang babayaran niyo,” Lizada said.

She said taxis that are part of ride-hailing apps such as Hirna, MiCab, Hype and Grab Taxi are not allowed to surge fares.

MiCab will earn through advertisements inside the taxi cabs, while Hype will charge riders a P20 booking fee. Hirna will charge the operator a P5 booking fee to earn money, Lizada said.

Lizada said the LTFRB is waiting for Congress to pass a law balancing the playing field for Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) and taxi drivers.

"How do we balance everything na hindi masyado agrabyado ang mga taxi drivers kasi sila rin h,o namomroblema because ang kanilang drivers lumilipat na rin sa ibang TNVS," Lizada said.