EV taxi firm faces franchise review on viral road littering

Land transportation regulators summoned executives of Green and Smart Mobility (GSM) Philippines Inc. and issued a formal show-cause order after video footage showing one of the operator’s electric taxi drivers dumping trash onto a public road circulated on social media, officials announced.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered the ride-hailing company to submit a written explanation detailing why its franchise authority should not be suspended or revoked over the incident.

LTFRB acting chairperson Greg Pua Jr. stressed that transport operators bear direct administrative responsibility for hiring drivers who fail to adhere to basic road courtesy, public sanitation laws, and professional standards.

“This is not only about existing ordinances relating to littering,” Pua said.

“This is also about common sense, because no motorist in his right mind would do that. Roads are not trash sites. As responsible operators and car owners, there should be at least a small trash container inside the vehicle,” he added.

The show-cause order requires the ride-hailing company to present the identified driver, submit his formal explanation regarding the violation, and enroll him in a mandatory road safety and driver responsibility retraining seminar.

Regulators cautioned transport network companies and taxi operators to enforce internal garbage disposal policies and conduct stricter driver screening procedures.