Move It said the position of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on the need to put in place a law that would allow the government to issue franchises to motorcycle taxi operators has boosted calls for this transportation option.
Move It Chairman Francis Juan said the call of DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista has added to the urgent need to recognize motorcycle taxis as a public transport option.
“The country’s growing motorcycle taxi industry has just found a strong ally in Secretary Bautista,” said Juan in a statement Friday, Oct. 14.
Motorcycle taxis have yet to be officially legalized as a form of public transportation and are currently operating under a pilot study.
The government has accredited three firms—Angkas, JoyRide and Move It—for the pilot run, which would aid in crafting laws allowing motorcycle taxis on the road.
According to Juan, Move It is one with Bautista in hoping that Congress will be able to pass a law that will legitimize and regulate the motorcycle ride-hailing services in the country, and ensure that they are safe and efficient.
Proponents of the bill argue that motorcycle taxis would not only help address the transport crisis in some parts of the country, but also ease the burden of commuters by providing them with more options.
At the same time, Move It welcomed the statement of Bautista that he did not see the need to review the partnership of Grab and Move It because it was a “private transaction” and that the focus of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was safety.
“Like we have always said our transaction is above board and beyond scrutiny, and we feel that Secretary Bautista’s statement should reassure those who think otherwise,” Juan said.
Move It had earlier said that the acquisition only resulted in “change of ownership, and no merger of operations,” as it continues to have its own separate mobile application.
The motorcycle taxi firm also said that its “accreditation remains its own and does not transfer to Grab,” while stressing that the deal was concluded after “rigorous legal due diligence.”
“The allegations against Grab and Move It are obviously an attempt to keep Move It so small that it would not pose any competition to the two other operators,” Move It said.
“Competition will make the motorcycle taxi business vibrant and its service better to the benefit of the riding public,” the company added.