Motorcycle taxi firm asks gov’t to allow more operators

Motorcycle ride-hailing firm Move It said the government should regulate the bike taxi industry to open the field to more players and provide commuters with affordable and reliable mode of public transportation.

Motorcycle taxis have yet to be legalized and are operating under a pilot study. The government has accredited three firms — Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It — for the pilot run to aid in crafting laws for this public mode of transportation.

At a public hearing on 23 November, Move It legal counsel Ann Albana assured lawmakers that its partnership with Grab Philippines was aboveboard and compliant with the rules by the technical working group under the Department of Transportation.

Albana said Move It "will still be under the supervision of the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) and it will continue to abide by its guidelines, especially on the safety and welfare of the consumers."

At the hearing, the Philippine Competition Commission said it did not see anything wrong with Grab's acquisition of Move It since it did not breach the P50-billion threshold required by the law for a review.

Meanwhile, retired Col. Isais Espino of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic representing the DOTr said the deal between Grab and Move It was not within the scope of the TWG.

The DoTr has reconvened the TWG mandated to oversee and monitor the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxi operations. On 7 November, Transportation Sec. Jaime J. Bautista issued Department Order No. 2022-021 that revived the group.

The TWG, according to the order, has "the power to review and supplement guidelines and regulations as necessary, and ensure proper and effective coordination among all concerned government agencies and stakeholders involved."

It should also consolidate data and information from the pilot implementation reviewed and submitted to Congress.