LTFRB stops expansion of motorcycle taxis

MANILA, Philippines — The expansion of motorcycle taxis has been stopped as the pilot study is scheduled to end in May, according to the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The LTFRB will also draft its recommendation to Congress on the operation of motorcycle taxis.

“We will prepare our recommendation and it is up to Congress whether or not it will adopt our recommendation and based on that, we will act depending on the decision of Congress,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz said over the weekend.

At least 8,000 more slots were authorized by the LTFRB, he added.

Guadiz, serving as head of the technical working group, is assigned to carry out the pilot study of motorcycle taxi services in the Philippines.

“The TWG will submit its recommendation to Congress this May regarding the results of our work,” he noted.

Motorcycle taxi services aim to address the problem of unauthorized motorcycle taxis transporting passengers without a permit from the LTFRB, Guadiz said.

The motorcycle taxi service has trained drivers and passengers are also insured.

Motorcycle taxis would also address severe traffic congestion, he argued.

At present, there are 51,000 motorcycle taxi slots in Metro Manila.

Various transport groups have appealed to President Marcos to stop the expansion of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila.

The Coalition of Transport Sectors urged Marcos to order the LTFRB to limit the expansion of motorcycle taxis in areas outside the National Capital Region, where the adverse effects of traffic congestion might be less severe.

The House of Representatives committee on Metro Manila development has pushed for a moratorium on additional players in the motorcycle taxi pilot study.