Stop accreditation of new motorcycle taxis, LTFRB asked

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was asked yesterday to stop the accreditation of more motorcycle taxis as it would affect the income of drivers of existing public utility vehicles.

The National Public Transport Coalition and the National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines (NACTODAP) said the LTFRB should allow the conclusion of a study on motorcycle taxis being tackled in Congress before accepting more applications.

NACTODAP president Ariel Lim said allowing additional players on the motorcycle taxi pilot study would affect the daily earnings of the group’s members.

Lim noted that the operation of motorcycles and the proliferation of unregulated habal-habal have caused a decline in the revenues of drivers of tricycle, jeepney, UV Express, taxi and pedicab.

He added that three companies were allowed to participate in the motorcycle taxi study: Angkas, Joyride and Move It.

“Adding more would kill the only kind of work most of their members know,” Lim said.

He appealed to President Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez to immediately act on the plan to add more motorcycle taxis in the country, particularly in Metro Manila.

Lim said that consultations should include all affected transport sectors, to come up with a “win-win” solution to the problem.

“The LTFRB Technical Working Group has yet to conclude its pilot study despite the motorcycle taxis having been in operation for more than five years already, and Congress has yet to pass a law that will regulate the operations of motorcycle taxis,” he said.