The House of Representatives Committee on Transportation, under its chairman Samar 1st District Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, has approved the Motorcycle-For-Hire Regulation Act filed by Navotas Rep. John Reynald Tiangco on Wednesday, October 13.
Majority of the committee members unanimously gave their approval to the bill that seeks to regulate the use of motorcycles-for-hire or motorcycle taxis for public transportation.
.The House substitute bill, which is a consolidation of 18 principal bills, calls for the recognition of motorcycle taxis as a viable mode of public transportation in the country.
"It is the object of this measure to bring this mode of transportation into proper regulation to ensure that regardless of its promising potential, the economic safety and other aspects of its operations are properly carried out," said Tiangco, who served as chairperson of the technical working group (TWG) that tackled the said measure in three TWG meetings.
Among the provisions of the bill is that it will apply exclusively for motorcycles-for-hire and that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) shall recommend the standards and specifications of motorcycles which can be used as a common carrier.
Franchising of motorcycles-for-hire shall be under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) since it will be a component of national routes under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
It also allows operators of motorcycle taxis to adopt a multi-homing approach to maximize their operations.
Under the bill, the mandatory use of digital platforms for motorcycles-for-hire will be required to prevent the proliferation of 'colorum' operations.
It also sets the maximum speed of motorcycle taxis at 60 kilometers per hour but subject to the speed limits set under the law.
The fares and fees of motorcycle taxi operators shall also be in accordance with the fare structure prescribed by the LTFRB.
Motorcycle taxis are currently operating in Metro Manila, Cebu, General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro City, which served as pilot areas during the previous year. (Melvin Sarangay)