TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade has approved the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxi operations in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu for six months starting June.
The motorcycle taxis, however, will be allowed to operate only through ride-hailing services platform Angkas.
In a statement issued Friday, May 10, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it has also standardized the rates of motorcycle taxis.
In Metro Manila, motorcycle taxis may charge a passenger P50 for the first two kilometers and an additional P10 per kilometer up to a distance of seven kilometers. An additional P15 per kilometer will be charged after seven kilometers.
Rates may be increased by up to 1.5 times during a "surge" or high demand.
In Metro Cebu, the rate is P20 for the first kilometer and additional P16 per kilometer up to eight kilometers. An additional P20 per kilometer will be charged after eight kilometers.
The DOTr said a public awareness campaign will be waged before the start of motorcycle taxi operations, which is expected in the early part of June.
Angkas, whose operations were stopped by a Supreme Court ruling in December 2018, reacted by tweeting: "Guess who's back?"
Results of the six-month pilot implementation, which will involve about 27,000 riders in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, will be used as basis for the introduction of a measure regulating the operations of motorcycle taxis, also known as habal-habal, in Congress.
Under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, or Republic Act 4136, the use of a motorcycle for public transport is prohibited.
Section 7 of the Code states that motorcycles, scooters or motor wheel attachments "shall not be used for hire under any circumstances and shall not be used to solicit, accept, or be used to transport passengers or freight for pay."
The DOTr, however, formed a Technical Working Group (TWG) in December 2018 to study the safety and viability of motorcycle taxi operations after controversy erupted over a Supreme Court ruling against Angkas.
Tugade has signed the General Guidelines governing the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxi operations, which were drawn up by the TWG.
The guidelines list the safety requirements for both motorcycle taxi and passenger, including the use of government-specified safety gear such as helmet, reflectorized vest, and vest-based strap or belt.
The guidelines also specify a speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour for motorcycle taxis and require proper maintenance of the vehicles.
Motorcycle taxi drivers are required to wear proper uniforms. They should not also exceed 10 hours of service a day.
The DOTr rules further require accident insurance for the motorcycle taxi, the amount of which should be equivalent or higher than the Passenger Personal Accident Insurance Program (PPAIP).
The accident threshold has been set at 5.0 percent, which means that if accidents involving motorcyle taxis reach five for every 100 trips, an investigation will be launched and the pilot implementation may be suspended.
In the statement, Tugade reminded motorcycle taxi operators and Angkas to strictly comply with the safety requirements and be mindful of their responsibilities as public transport services providers.
"Mariin naming binabalaan ang mga ride-hailing service na sumunod sa safety requirements sa kanilang operasyon. Huwag ninyong sayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob namin sa inyo sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo publiko sa mga commuter. Pangunahing responsibilidad natin ang kaligtasan ng publiko. Kaya kapag pumalya kayo sa pamantayan natin, we will not have second thoughts on halting the pilot implementation," Tugade stated.
(We are warning ride-hailing service providers to comply with the safety requirements.)
The TWG that drew up the guidelines is composed of representatives from DOTr, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Senado, Kongreso, commuter welfare groups, road safety advocates, motorcycle manufacturers, motorcycle organizations, and law schools. (MVI/VoxPop Philippines)