DOTr throws support for motorcycle taxi service resumption

As public commuting is still limited in line with the COVID-19 safety protocols that the government has laid out, the leadership of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has thrown its support for the resumption of the motorcycle taxis.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has expressed his support for the halted program to resume operations, but only on the condition that the Congress passes a resolution that would serve as legal basis for their agency to legally allow them.

"The DOTr recognizes the role of motorcycle taxis in transporting our commuters to their destinations. Malaking tulong ho ito lalo na ngayong limitado pa din ang kapasidad ng pampublikong transportasyon. Kaya nga ho ba, as long as there is a Congress Resolution, which will be our legal basis to allow the operation of MC Taxis, we will fully support this. We will abide by the directive of Congress and the IATF on the health and safety protocols,” Tugade said.

Aside from that, the transport secretary instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to allow the operation of additional transport network vehicle services (TNVS) and taxis.

Based on the current policy, there is no cap on the number of additional taxis and TNVS units to be deployed for as long as they are duly-accredited by the Transport Network Corporations (TNCs) for purposes of contact tracing, are authorized to operate (with appropriate CPC or P.A.) and, more importantly, are compliant with public health protocols set by IATF.

Based on a study from the University of the Philippines-College of Public Health (UP-CPH), operations of motorcycle taxis can be done safely in the new normal scenario.

The said department of the state university supported the resumption of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila after operation ceased due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

UP-CPH has been actively collaborating with motorcycle taxi mobile app Angkas to help devise strategies that would ensure the safety of the riders, passengers and the public. Angkas is ready to deploy its 30,000-strong biker pool again.

Earlier, Motorcycle taxi mobile app Angkas seemingly got the green light to operate following the favorable response from some members of the Cabinet.

It can be recalled that the pilot run for the motorcycle taxi came to a screeching halt when COVID-19 broke in the country.

During the launch of Ingat Angat Tayong Lahat campaign, Angkas was endorsed by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez.

Photo/s from Ruben D. Manahan IV

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