The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the reconstitution of a technical working group (TWG) on motorcycle (MC) taxis, a move that third player Move It called a “win-win solution for commuters and industry drivers.”
In a department order (DO) dated November 7, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista called for the revival of the TWG as the body that would “oversee and monitor the continuous pilot implementation of MC taxi operations.”
According to the order, the TWG shall be composed of the DOTr Assistant Secretary and chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as chair; a board member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as vice chair; and the chief of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic, chairperson of the Office for Transportation Cooperatives, chief of the LTO-Law Enforcement Staff, chief of the LTFRB Technical Division, and representatives from the DOTr Road Transport and Infrastructure Office, or their duly authorized representatives, as members.
The Secretariat shall be composed of representatives from the LTO and LTFRB.
Representatives from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Committees on Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall also form part of the TWG to ensure that a whole-of-government approach is undertaken in the issuance of additional guidelines for the continued pilot implementation.
Under the order, the TWG has the power to review and supplement guidelines and regulations, as maybe necessary; ensure proper and effective coordination among all concerned government agencies and stakeholders involved; and ensure that the data and information from the pilot implementation shall be properly reviewed and submitted to Congress.
“The reconstitution of the TWG ensures the continuous operation of MC taxis pending enactment of the appropriate legislation legalizing and regulating the MC ride-hailing service in the country,” Move It said. “While we await for that law, it is important that our commuters continue to have access to affordable, safe and faster mode of public transportation that is MC taxi.”
Move It, one of the three firms taking part in the government-backed pilot study for the safety and viability of MC taxis, expressed hope the reconstitution of TWG will lead to the swift passage of the proposed “MC Taxi Act.”
“We earnestly hope that the reconvening of the TWG will provide a stronger basis for the MC taxi to be legalized,” Move It said. “The growing traffic concern calls for various innovative options. In the metropolis, the legalization of MC taxi creates a seamless door-to-door experience for commuters.”
It likewise called for the government to ensure an environment of “free and open competition” to ensure maximum benefit to the public.
“It is about time that the government allows more players and not limit the MC taxi business to only three companies so that we can give our commuters more options. The convenience and safety of our commuters should be our primordial concern,” Move It said.
