Motorcycle taxi firm MOVE IT said Wednesday it is seeking reconsideration of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) order to reduce its rider pool by nearly 14,000 nationwide.
The LTFRB, in an order issued on April 29, directed MOVE IT to immediately cease operations in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro and slash its Metro Manila rider count from 15,000 to 6,836.
The order effectively forces the company to delist 3,000 riders in each of the two provinces and nearly 8,000 in the capital.
“This is a big blow to our riders’ livelihood, especially on the eve of Labor Day,” said MOVE IT general manager Wayne Jacinto.
“We are filing a motion for reconsideration within the day and are appealing to the Department of Transportation Secretary. We are hoping that our riders will not lose their livelihood,” he said.
Jacinto said the company’s current rider base is aligned with the guidelines issued by the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group in November 2020, which allocated 15,000 riders each for the three pilot operators: MOVE IT, Angkas and JoyRide.
“We have repeatedly said this—we never went beyond what was stated in the guidelines,” he said, refuting allegations that the company exceeded its allowed allocation.
Despite operating in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro with 3,000 riders each since early 2023, MOVE IT now faces an order from LTFRB claiming the company has no authority to operate in these areas.
Jacinto disputed this, citing the 2020 guidelines which he says allow each pilot player to have 3,000 riders outside Metro Manila.
“We want equal treatment for all players and continuity for our riders’ honest livelihood,” he said.