Bautista: No more additional motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila
There will be no more additional motorcycle taxis that will be allowed in Metro Manila, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said amid concerns of negative impact on traffic if the government would increase the number.
Concerns were raised in the past days after the LTFRB was reported to have allocated 2,000 slots each to four new players which were given until April 15 to complete the allocation.
The allocation was made after LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III was also reported to have announced that there will be a moratorium on the expansion of motorcycle taxis.
In an interview, Bautista said the 8,000 slots that were approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be operate outside Metro Manila.
“The LTFRB will stop adding the motorcycle taxi units in Metro Manila. The eight thousand slots for new players recently announced were intended only in the provinces,” said Bautista.
The clarification comes amid recent debates and calls for a moratorium on motorcycle taxi expansion within the metropolitan area.
Notably, the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, in conjunction with various transport groups, advocated for a temporary halt on MC taxi expansion, citing multiple concerns.
“This decision aligns with the department's vision to balance transportation services across different regions while addressing the specific needs and challenges of each area,” said Bautista.
“By redirecting additional MC taxi units outside of Metro Manila, the DOTR aims to alleviate congestion and enhance mobility in the capital region,” he added.