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Motorcycle-hailing service Angkas will soon face competition as the technical working group responsible for motorcycle taxis is set to include new players in the proposed six-month extension of its Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Implementation.
In a bulletin on Tuesday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said the extension of the MTPI, which was originally supposed to end on Dec. 26, would allow for the participation of new players in the study to further explore the viability of motorcycles as a safe mode of public transportation.
It added that the TWG had submitted its recommendation and a decision on the proposed extension is set to be released soon.
LTFRB board member, retired Police Maj. Gen. Antonio Gardiola Jr. said the extension of the study and inclusion of new motorcycle taxi providers was in the interest of “giving the riding public a wider choice, and thus push the multiple providers to ensure a higher standard of service.”
“We also want to determine whether or not motorcycles are really a safe and viable form of public transportation. That is always our priority—the safety, security, and comfort of the riding public,” Gardiola said.
The LTFRB said the extension would provide the TWG more time to widen the scope of the study on appropriate standards and capacities for motorcycles to be considered safe, convenient, and eligible for franchise.
On Nov. 20, the Department of Transportation received proposals from six different motorcycle taxi providers—Citimuber, JoyRide, MoveIt, EsetGo, Sakay, and VroomGo—to participate in the pilot 1study.
In June, the initial six-month pilot run was approved in aid of legislation for both the House of Representatives and the Senate to evaluate pending legislations pushing for the legalization of motorcycles as public utility vehicles, as well as the amendment of existing laws such as Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
The TWG, led by Gardiola, is composed of representatives from the LTFRB, the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Office, and the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic.