Gov’t allows resumption of motorcycle taxi operations

Motorcycle taxi firms may now resume operations after the House of Representatives allowed the continuation of the pilot study on this mode of transport, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) gave the go-signal on Thursday after the House transportation committee backed the resumption of operations.

He said the guidelines will be issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

“Mabuting balita po iyan kasi pupuwede naman tayong mag Angkas o mag Joyride,” Roque said at the Laging Handa briefing.

Angkas chief transport advocate George Royeca earlier said that Angkas’ fleet is ready to serve commuters as he assured that its partner-drivers have been trained on proper disinfection of vehicles after every trip.

He said the company will utilize cashless payment schemes, IATF-approved barriers between the rider and passenger, and not allow the sharing of helmets.

Operations of motorcycle taxis were cut short in March, ahead of the pilot study’s expiration in April, due to the enforcement of an enhanced community quarantine in the entire Luzon to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The pilot run took place as Congress evaluated bills pushing for the legalization of motorcycles as public utility vehicles.—AOL, GMA News