Transport groups oppose new motorcycle taxi players in Metro Manila, urges PBBM to act
A number of transportation coalition groups and tricycle operators urged President Marcos to stop the plan to allow more motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila, saying this would adversely affect the already meager income of existing operators and riders.
The appeal came amid the ongoing pilot study on the program, as well as the recent decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to include a big Transportation Network Vehicle Service in the motorcycle taxi pilot study.
Ariel Lim, president of the National Public Transport Coalition, National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (NACTODAP), said the LTFRB should finish its pilot study before accommodating more applicants.
“Accepting additional players on the motorcycle taxi pilot study would put their members in a very disadvantageous situation for their daily earnings are now being siphoned off by the unregulated habal-habal, and also by companies using motorcycles in their operations,” said Lim.
“The government must consider the only source of income of our members that include not only trike drivers, jeepney drivers, UV Express, taxi, but also pedicab drivers,” he added.
The transport groups, according to Lim, are wondering why the LTFRB Technical Working Group has yet to conclude their pilot study for in fact the MC taxis have been in operation for more than five years already.
He added that Congress is yet to pass a law that would regulate the operations of motorcycle taxis in the country.
Currently, there are only three companies that were given permits to participate in the motorcycle taxi study– Angkas, Joyride at Move It.
Adding more, he said, would “kill” the only kind of work most of their members know.
Lim said their members are requesting consultations and dialogue that would include all affected transport sectors to tackle pertinent issues including the already five year old pilot study in order to regulate motorcycle taxi numbers and to come up with a win-win solution to the problem.