Motorcycle taxis won’t compete with PUVs - LTFRB

Motorcycle taxis are not seen as direct competitors of traditional public utility vehicles such as jeepneys, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

LTFRB chief Teofilo Guadiz III said, at a House Committee on Transportation hearing, that motorcycle taxis would not adversely affect the livelihoods of PUV stakeholders.

Guadiz explained that “the client base of motorcycle taxis is different… these are those who are in a hurry to get from their house to the office.”

“The jeepneys, their client base, are also different. These are those who ride from one terminal to another terminal,” the LTFRB head said.

For his part, House Transportation Committee Chair and Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop said that in finalizing the law that would govern motorcycles for hire, Congress would factor in various considerations, including the impact of motorcycle taxis on other modes of transportation.

Acop said Filipino commuters had reasons for taking motorcycle taxis, given their affordability and convenience, plus the absence of efficient public transportation.

“Again I would like to stress that the lack of efficient public transportation paved the way for the proliferation of motorcycle taxis as an alternative mode of moving people,” said the lawmaker.

“Our Filipino commuters do so not only because these motorcycle taxis are cheaper and more accessible,” added Acop, “but also because they wish to avoid the stressful and time-consuming traffic in several urban areas.”

The House Committee on Transportation is now in the midst of finalizing the motorcycle-for-hire law, as Acop stressed that the measure is “a legislative priority of the House.”

“This is in response to the pronouncement of our president, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which was echoed by our speaker––Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez––to legalize and expand the operations of motorcycle taxis,” the lawmaker said.—RF, GMA Integrated News