By Noreen Jazul
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) technical working group (TWG) has added another area to the motorcycle taxis study.
CONVENIENCE – Riders pause at the intersection, many of them on the way to deliver packages, food, groceries, or even a passenger to a destination, boosting the businesses that now use motorcycles as a main transportation mode. (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In an interview with ANC Wednesday, TWG Chairperson Antonio Gardiola Jr. said they have decided to add Cagayan de Oro as an area for the study.
"Meron pong pangangailangan ang (There is a need in) other urban areas, and we decided to add Cagayan de Oro by this time. So ngayon one in Luzon, one in Visayas, and one in Mindanao," Gardiola said.
Gardiola also said they will adjust the rider cap from 39,000 to a total of 63,000 divided among the three players – Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It.
Each player can field 15,000 riders in Metro Manila, 3,000 in Metro Cebu, and 3,000 in Cagayan de Oro.
Gardiola said the cap can also be redistributed among the other players.
"Meron doong (There is a) provision that kung ‘di filled up ng isang player ‘yung cap given to them (that if the player doesn’t fill the cap given to them), it will be redistributed to the other players," Gardiola said, adding Angkas will benefit from this provision as they already have enough riders.
The TWG, with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, met with the three players Tuesday afternoon to “thresh out” what needs to be done for the pilot run.