The inter-agency Technical Working Group (TWG) on motorcyle taxis is considering a six-month extension of the Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Implementation to allow the participation of new players in the study.

The creation of the TWG was initiated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to gather data that will determine the viability of motorcycles as a safe mode of public transportation.

The study may be useful for consideration in the deliberation of several pending bills in both houses of Congress.

The TWG is headed by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) board member P/Maj. Gen. Antonio B. Gardiola Jr., (ret.) and is composed of members from the DOTr, LTFRB, Land Transportation Office and the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic.

The pilot implementation will end on 26 December 2019.

TWG chair BM Gardiola sees the extension as an expansion of the study by allowing new motorcycle taxi providers to participate in the pilot run, thus giving the riding public more choices.

Multiple providers will ensure a higher standard of service as they compete for patronage, the board said.

On June 2019, a six-month pilot run was approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate to further evaluate pending legislative bills pushing for the legalization of the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The DOTr heard proposals on 20 November 2019 from six motorcycle taxi companies—Citimuber, JoyRide, MoveIt, EsetGo, Sakay and VroomGo.

“We want to determine their operational readiness and compliance,” Gardiola said.

“We also want to determine whether or not motorcycles are really a safe and viable form of public transportation. That is always our priority — the safety, security, and comfort of the riding public.”