The creation of a technical working group to assess the operations of motorcycle taxi services such as Angkas is an “important step in solving an issue that’s been plaguing the country for years.”
Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, chair of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said this as he lauded Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade’s green light for the TWG, following calls for a series on hearings on motorcycle taxis.
“I’m pleased with this kind of decisive leadership from the DOTr [Department of Transportation] and it shows they are sensitive to the needs of the people,” Castelo said.
Hearing the public clamor on the legalization and regulation of motorcycle taxis, Tugade directed the TWG to discuss the prospect of motorcycle taxis operating as public transport.
“We at the DOTr know how to listen. So even if the SC [Supreme Court] has yet to issue a final ruling, we already formed a TWG to study the prospect of motorcycles serving as public transportation,” Tugade said.
The TWG is headed by Undersecretary Mark de Leon and is comprised of representatives from the DOTr, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group, Metro Manila Development Authority, Senate, House of Representatives, commuter welfare groups, road safety advocates, motorcycle manufacturers, motorcycle organizations, and law schools.
The group has met three times to discuss the appropriate standards and capacities of motorcycles for public transportation service.
It included determining the proper type of motorcycle that can be granted a franchise, the minimum Cubic Centimeter capacity of the motor, travel speed of motorcycle taxis, franchise route, seat and helmet requirements, and training requirements for motorcycle bikers looking to register as a Public Utility Vehicle driver.
The TWG also discussed regulatory concerns on accountability for passenger safety in the event of an accident.
On their second meeting, the group did an on-site observation of Angkas’ touted safety training program that has resulted in their high safety standards.
After the three meetings, the TWG proposed to conduct a test run for motorcycle taxis ahead of their proposed legalization and regulation, which is still up for Tugade’s approval.
De Leon said the proposed pilot run is part of the TWG’s efforts to assess the viability of motorcycle taxis as PUVs, as well as to test the implementing rules and regulations the group is drafting.
Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion likewise lauded Tugade for creating the TWG in an earlier meeting of transport sector officials and industry players.
Concepcion noted the secretary has said he is not against any mode of transportation, as long as it is efficient, safe, and comfortable.
Angkas Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs George Royeca likewise praised the DOTr for the test run initiative.
“We would like to thank the DOTr, especially Secretary Tugade and Undersecretary de Leon, for their selfless consideration of the plight of our commuters and motorcycle riders,” Royeca noted.
