For months now, there has been a
struggle between land transportation regulators and the beleaguered companies
and employees of a rising but divisive new platform for app-based ride-hailing
services: motorcycle taxis. Ever since Angkas began operations in 2016 the Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has been on its case and that
of every other ride-hailing company employing motorcycle rides that have
followed their example. A more conciliatory measure was undertaken in which a technical
working group would oversee a motorcycle taxi pilot program in Metro Manila and
Cebu, with Angkas and similar services participating until March. The program
was nearly canceled recently, but saved by pushback from the Senate.
CNN Philippines reports that the Department of Transportation (DOTr)
will not be axing the motorcycle taxi pilot program after all, as reported by a
member of the technical working group (TWG) this Tuesday, January 21. This
comes in the wake of an earlier announcement that the program was being terminated
before its end date of March 2020, and that all riders of motorcycle taxis can
be arrested this week barring a momentary grace period. The decision of the TWG
was greeted with indignation by Senators. In light of that sentiment, the pilot
program is resumed.
TWG head Antonio Gardiola, who
had called off the program on account of insufficient data gathered on the
legality of motorcycle taxi services, is now retracting the committee’s earlier
decision. “We will continue it,” he said, but that will also come with possible
new guidelines, and they will need to speak with the providers after conferring
with the Secretary of Transportation. Gardiola does note the prevailing need of
commuters for more alternative sources of hirable transport adding, “With the
recent developments during the Senate hearing, the sentiment of the senators is
to continue the study.”
The earlier announcement that the
motorcycle taxi pilot program, which was extended for three more months beyond
the original December 2019 conclusion, would be cut short with a warning to
arrest riders, was badly criticized by the participant ride-hailing services.
In addition, investors of the same companies, social media commentators, and national
legislators slammed the technical working group for its heavy-handed measures
especially against contracted motorcycle taxi-riders who are just trying to
earn honest work. Senator Grace Poe said the Senate will not bow to pressure
from the TWG to pass measures illegalizing motorcycle taxi services just
because the study committee failed to gather meaningful data from the pilot
program.
Said pilot program, should it
rule favorably on Angkas, JoyRide and Move It, will recommend to lawmakers to propose
amendments to the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which stipulates that
only four-wheeled vehicles can be used for commercialized passenger transport.
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