The Transportation Department said Tuesday it allowed Angkas to resume operations in Metro Manila after months of suspension following the expiration of the pilot study on motorcycle taxis.
“The Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group has decided [on November 24] to issue Angkas with a provisional authority to operate under the extended motorcycle taxi pilot program, pending confirmation of compliance to pending operational requirements set forth by the National Task Force and the MC Taxi TWG,” the agency said.
It said the pending operational requirements include the provision of insurance for both rider and passenger in case of accidents and the mandatory use of thermal scanners to accurately detect if the passenger has fever.
The department said the provisional authority would be valid from Nov. 24 to Dec. 9, 2020.
“Once the Angkas is able to fully comply with the requirements, a certificate of compliance shall be issued to them by the MC Taxi TWG,” DOTR said.
Move It and JoyRide have yet to complete the requirements set by the government.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board earlier allowed Angkas, Joyride and Move It to participate in the pilot test for motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. The pilot study lapsed on March 23.
The government imposed a cap of 63,000 bikers for the three players—45,000 bikers in Metro Manila, 9,000 in Cebu and 9,000 in Cagayan de Oro.
Angkas has 23,164 bikers in Metro Manila, 4,500 in Metro Cebu and 925 in Cagayan De Oro, while Joyride has 15,000 in Metro Manila, 4,488 in Metro Cebu and 198 in Cagayan de Oro.
Move It has 6,836 bikers in Metro Manila.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issued Memorandum Circular No. 03,s.2020 to provide guidelines on minimum health and safety protocols to be observed by tricycles that will be accepting back-riders and motorcycle taxis following a systematic and coordinated approach in augmenting the public transport options for the commuting public while ensuring continue mitigation of COVID-19.
Under the circular, all motorcycle taxi providers participating in the pilot study should ensure that all payments for riders are made via cashless channels.
The motorcycle taxi operators should also ensure that drivers undergo the required COVID-19 testing and ensure compliance by the drivers on the usage of NTF approved barriers between driver and passengers.