LTFRB: No increase in motorcycle taxis

MANILA, Philippines — There has been no increase in the number of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila in the past three years, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reported yesterday.

“The agency did not increase the number of motorcycle taxis in the National Capital Region,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said, pointing out that the number has stood at 45,000 for the past three years.

He said more motorcycles were approved in Regions 3 and 4, with additional 4,000 motorcycle taxis each.

He maintained that the technical working group for motorcycle taxis submitted the result of the study, which became the basis for the passage of a bill at the House of Representatives.

“House Bill 10571, which aims to provide a safe and economical public transport option by regulating the use of motorcycles, was passed by lawmakers in October,” Guadiz said.

The bill is pending at the Senate committee on transportation for the eventual approval by senators of the Motorcycle Taxi Law.

Guadiz attributed the decrease in motorcycle taxi ridership to the change in work patterns.

“These are work from home setups, asynchronous academic schedule for schools and the increase in use of mass transport such as trains and buses,” he said.

Major transport groups have complained about an uncontrolled rise in motorcycle taxis, saying this is eating into 50 percent of their daily income.

Guadiz said only three motorcycle ride-hailing companies are authorized to operate across the country.