Move It urges for the legalization of motorcycle taxi; wants to see more industry players

Move It is appealing to lawmakers to pass the law that will legalize the operation of motorcycle taxis around the country and open the field to more industry players in order to address the needs of commuters for affordable, safe, and reliable mode of public transportation. 

Move It issued the statement following a public hearing conducted on Wednesday (November 23) by the House Committee on Metro Manila Development during which regulators, lawmakers and transport stakeholders tackled proposals surrounding the safety and efficiency of motorcycle taxis.

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 only accredited three firms—Angkas, JoyRide and Move It—for the pilot run, which would aid in crafting laws allowing motorcycle taxis on the road.

Lawmakers pointed out that there is no need to review and dispute Grab’s acquisition of Move It as the latter maintains the several qualifying parameters set by the TWG even after it was acquired by Grab. Additionally, the Philippine Competition Commission maintained its position that the acquisition fosters better competition in the MC Taxi industry currently dominated by Angkas, and falls below the threshold required for PCC’s purview.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa ating mga mambabatas at mga government officials sa kanilang naging papel sa paglilinaw na ang ating acquisition deal with Grab ay legal at above board. Makailang ulit na po natin itong ipinaliwanag sa publiko, at nagagalak po kami na maging ang ating mga mambabatas at regulators ay sang-ayon po dito. Panahon na po na isang-tabi natin ang iringan sa motorcycle taxi, at tutukan natin ang pagsasabatas nito para sa ating mga riders at pasahero,” says Move It Chairman Francis Juan. 

Angkas Prepares For Pilot Run With The Support Of The PNP HPG.

With the motorcycle taxi service Angkas gears for their pilot run, they found an ally on the road with Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG). With the problem of traffic still growing in various metropolitan cities, their partnership aims to make sure that traffic rules are followed as  well as safety and law enforcement are also maintained.

Led by HPG chief superintendent Roberto Fajardo, he said that the HPG’s mandate is to ensure the safety of the metro’s highways for the benefit of commuters and motorists alike and part of that mandate is to help ensure the smooth and safe flow of traffic in the streets. 

The rest of the world already benefits from motorcycle taxis

It has been weeks since motorcycle ride-hailing app Angkas suspended operations and as its dialogue with transport authorities on December 12 nears, the discussion about the viability of motorcycle taxis continues to concern the commuting public.

Across the globe, motorcycle taxis are considered an indispensable mode of public transportation, operating from East Africa (where they’re called “boda boda”), to Indonesia (“ojek”), Vietnam, China, to even the US, UK, and France, and yielding large benefits to both individuals and a city’s economy.