Hail Mary ride

After transport authorities obtained last year a restraining order from the Supreme Court stopping the operation of a motorcycle ride service for commuters in Metro Manila, affected riders are reportedly still carrying on with their livelihood of conveying passengers for a fee using a Facebook group account.

Members of the group even include former Uber drivers who were not absorbed by Grab which took over the former ride-hailing service company in a merger. Booking transactions between drivers and customers are done through the comment box of the group’s Facebook account.

One reason why the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board wants to regulate motorcycle taxis is to ensure passenger safety and make riders accountable in case of an accident. The underground motorcycle service, however, does not provide passenger insurance. Instead, all members of the group agree to help shoulder the cost of medical service to any rider or passenger who figured in an accident.

A group member called the scheme “pass the helmet,” their version of the “pass the hat.”

From January to August 2018, there were 14,707 motorcycles involved in road crashes in the National Capital Region, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority data. Of the figure, 124 resulted in deaths, 6,608 caused non-fatal injuries while 7,975 resulted in damage to property.

Motorcycle taxi passengers may not realize the danger of such rides or prefer to take the risk to avoid the traffic congestion that delays bus, jeepney or taxi rides. If the underground motorcycle taxi service’s “pass the helmet” becomes more frequent, members may have to also add ambulance and even hearse rides to their list of transport services that already include errands and package delivery. Such ride should come with a “Hail Mary” prayer which may be helpful for an accident victim’s trip to the hospital.