DOTr urged to expand study on motorcycle taxi

MANILA, Philippines — An ongoing pilot study to determine the feasibility of motorcycle taxi as a legal form of transportation should be expanded to other major cities in the country, a commuter welfare advocacy group said.

The Passenger Forum (TPF) lead convenor Primo Morillo  said the MC taxi study should extend beyond Metro Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro – the current focus of a technical working group under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) – to address the persistent challenges faced by commuters in other key cities.

In 2019, the House of Representatives passed a resolution ordering the DOTr to conduct an MC taxi pilot study to determine its safety and feasibility and was initially conducted in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Three MC taxi firms – Angkas, Joyride and Move It – were granted a provisional license to operate.

During a Senate inquiry about the passage of the Motorcycle Taxi bill, Sen. Raffy Tulfo expressed his concerns over the proliferation of habal-habals, saying its operations are not safe for Filipino commuters.

Thus, Morillo called on operators of MC taxi apps to help train and legitimize these habal-habals by pushing for a nationwide MC taxi pilot study. He added that the ongoing study has demonstrated that when appropriately regulated and registered, motorcycle taxis can significantly contribute to improving commuting experiences.

Morillo also explained that the nationwide expansion would offer a lifeline to countless commuters residing outside major cities who often struggle with limited transportation options. He added that this would ensure the safety of both passengers and riders, setting standards for driver qualifications, vehicle conditions, and adherence to traffic regulations.