LTFRB: End motorcycle taxi pilot program

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has recommended to the House of Representatives the termination of the five-year motorcycle taxi pilot program and endorsed three original players to be allowed to operate until the passage of a law.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz, who heads the motorcycle taxi technical working group (TWG), said yesterday no new players should be accredited under the program and recommended to maintain the provisional licenses of current operators Angkas, Joyride and Move It.

The motorcycle taxi pilot study was launched in 2019 while Congress has yet to pass a legislation in the country.

Sen. Grace Poe, Senate committee on public services chairperson, has urged the Department of Transportation-TWG to prioritize the submission of the assessment and results of the pilot study before moving forward with plans to allow additional players and expand the program.

She said expanding the program to other locations and allowing new players needs efficient planning and traffic assessment. The TWG, she added, needs to show it has really studied its effect to both the commuters and service providers.

Guadiz said it is up to the House of Representatives if it will adopt the TWG recommendations, adding that the livelihoods of many riders depend on the app-based service.

“The extension is not needed. While the passage of the law is pending, the program should be continued as at least 45,000 slots were given in Metro Manila. They will all lose their source of livelihood,” Guadiz noted.