Transport groups have called on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. to halt the proliferation of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila, citing concerns over worsening traffic congestion.
The appeal comes as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) gears up to greenlight multiple companies to participate in a pilot study.
The Coalition of Transport Sectors, during a press conference, urged Marcos to direct the LTFRB to restrict the expansion of motorcycle taxis to regions beyond the National Capital Region, where the impact on traffic congestion may be mitigated.
“We urgently appeal to the President to listen to the voice of transport stakeholders and direct any expansion efforts to areas outside the congested urban environment of Metro Manila,” Laban TNVS Chairman and the Coalition’s Spokesman Leonardo de Leon said.
Aside from Laban TNVS, other members of the coalition include Defend Jobs Philippines, Coalition of Union Courier Shippers and Services Philippines, Manibela, Mantra, National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines, Hataw, Pasang Masda, LTOP, LCSP, NPTC, INHTA, ATOMN and the Motorcycle Rights Organization.
De Leon slammed the LTFRB for allowing more players in the motorcycle taxi pilot study.
“We are against the LTFRB’s move to flood Metro Manila streets with more motorcycle taxis. This decision, which lacks a thorough impact assessment, threatens to diminish the income of transport workers and degrade the quality of our city’s transport ecosystem,” De Leon said.
“Introducing more vehicles in an already saturated environment is a recipe for heightened congestion and decreased public safety,” he added.
Reports indicate that the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation's Technical Working Group are poised to permit additional companies to provide motorcycle taxi services, as stated by De Leon.
Among the applicants vying to partake in the pilot study are Cloud Panda Philippines Inc., Taxi Philippines Inc., E Pick Me Up Inc., Easy Way Transport Service and Multipurpose Cooperative, Para Express Technology Services Inc., Grab Philippines, and Market Innovators Inc.
Presently, only Angkas, Joy Ride, and Move It are authorized to operate as motorcycle taxis. However, the allotment for motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila has already reached its 45,000 limit, according to records.
In response, the House of Representatives committee on Metro Manila development has advocated for a moratorium on the entry of additional players into the motorcycle taxi pilot study.
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