7 new players eye proposed expanded motorcycle taxi pilot run –LTO

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday said at least seven new players have expressed intent to enter the country’s motorcycle taxi industry as government plans to expand the ongoing pilot study program.

Under the program, only three players are allowed to operate a motorcycle taxi service: Angkas, MOVE IT, and JoyRide.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza, who chairs the motorcycle taxi technical working group, told reporters the pilot run expansion proposal would welcome additional players that will help address increasing commuter demand.

“There are interested parties in new areas. So far there are seven new ones on top of the three. They have to present their capacities and we still have to inspect their respective garages and the training that goes to it,” Mendoza said.

“Initially, the position is no more new players in Metro Manila but I don’t want to say this in finality because the demand of each local government unit here varies,” he added.

The LTO chief did not divulge the identities of the interested companies, but said they are mostly industry newcomers.

“The draft final report is to be submitted to the Congress, it is almost done and it will be expanded to more areas pending the action of Congress in the passage of the new law governing the MC taxi,” Mendoza said.

In the past four years, the motorcycle taxi pilot study has been ongoing as the law institutionalizing this mode of transportation is still being crafted. The study aims to determine if motorcycle taxis are safe and reliable modes of transportation.—RF, GMA Integrated News