Sen. Grace Poe hailed the recent addition of newly accredited players for motorcycle taxis through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"We welcome the entry of the newly-accredited players for motorcycle (MC) taxis. Healthy competition is always better for the riding public," said Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services.

LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said in a recent statement that it has accredited four more Transport Network Companies (TNC) with 8,000 accredited riders in Regions III and IV.

He mentioned that the recommendation to limit the program to only three players in Metro Manila is untrue.

“The endorsement of the TWG MC Taxi group is to add more players and expand it to more places,” he stressed.

By expanding the number of players and the places of operation, the LTFRB chief said it will enable the TWG to effectively ascertain the impact of the pilot study.

Legislators, according to the LTFRB chair, believe that a limited study of three players within Metro Manila is not reflective of an encompassing study on the impact of MC taxis on safety and security, economy, traffic, and other public transport modes.

The Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (TWG) is set to finish its study this month, and LTFRB said that it has terminated the gathering of data.

"Now that the MC Taxi TWG has finally concluded its study, it is evident that motorcycle taxi is a feasible alternative mode of transport as long as proper road and passenger safety measures are in place," Poe said in a statement.

She mentioned that the final study gives supporting data for the expansion of the industry, not just for new players but also for wider operations in the country.

"This is exactly why we have always pushed for the legalization of MC taxis. With more competition, commuters have access to fast, affordable, and convenient transport options, especially in traffic jams or harder-to-reach destinations," she said.

"The riding public and the official data are on the side of legalizing motorcycle taxis. It is time that public policy and legislation keep up with the changing times," she added.

"Kabuhayan at mas madaling komyut para sa lahat ang hangad natin sa legalisasyon kaya't sana ay maipasa ito bago matapos ang kasalukuyang kongreso sa 2025 (Livelihood and easier commuting for everyone is our goal in legalization so we hope this gets passed in the current Congress in 2025)," she said.