Motorcycle taxis under ride-hailing platform Angkas are now authorized to resume its operations in the country beginning next month as transport regulators approved a six-month test-run on the service.
This was announced by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday after Secretary Arthur Tugade signed the general guidelines of the pilot implementation to further study the legalization of motorcycle taxis through testing its safety and economic viability.
According to DOTr, the pilot implementation is set to begin on the first week of June or a month after the transportation secretary signed the guidelines and after carrying out a public awareness campaign.
The service, which will benefit 27,000 Angkas riders, will be rolled out in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu for six months while further study is ongoing.
“This is proof that the government listens to the clamor of the public. This is proof that we are open-minded. In December, we ordered the creation of a TWG (technical working group), and these general guidelines are the result of those discussions,” Tugade said in a statement.
At the same time, Tugade emphasized the “heavy responsibility” of ride-hailing services as a form of public transportation.
“Our primary responsibility is public safety. So when you fail to reach our standard, we will not have second thoughts on halting the pilot implementation,” the DOTr chief said.
In the document signed by Tugade last Wednesday, May 8, the TWG has set fare guidelines for motorcycle taxis during the pilot implementation.
In Metro Manila, the flag down rate is P50 for the first two kilometers and an additional charge of P10 to P15 per kilometer for the succeeding distances.
They are also entitled to dynamic pricing with a 1.5x surge cap.
In Metro Cebu, passengers will be charged P20 for the first kilometer and P16 to P20 per kilometer charge for the succeeding destinations.
Under the guidelines, both the rider and the passenger must also comply with safety gear laws such as wearing helmet and reflectorized vest, and vest-based strap or belt for the drivers.
The rider should also strictly follow the speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour, maintain the proper condition of the motorcycle and must not exceed to 10 hours of travel per day.
“We strongly warn the ride-hailing service to comply with safety requirements in their operations. Do not waste the trust we gave you in providing public services to commuters,” Tugade said.
Under the guideline, it was pointed out that the pilot operations only include motorcycle taxis under a ride-hailing app.
With this, Angkas, which is so far the only motorcycle-ride hailing platform operating in the country, is required to submit monthly data on passenger complaints and road crashes involving motorcycle units under them.
TEST-RUN
During the six-month test period, the TWG under the DOTr will be monitoring key performance indicators of motorcycle taxis including road crashes and violation of traffic laws through an online monitoring system.
Five percent of total rides or any major or fatal incident will call immediately for an emergency TWG meeting, according to the guideline.
This will be followed by an investigation and decision for next steps which may include possible suspension of the pilot implementation.
According to Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon, the TWG hopes that the test-run will help in drafting a law for motorcycle taxis in the country.
“This pilot implementation is crucial to further refine the general guidelines, and view potential problems in the process or the standards, so we can help in creating a law that really suits the needs and safety of our commuters,” De Leon said.
Meanwhile, Angkas head of regulatory and public affairs George Royeca welcomed the recent development and hoped that the pilot implementation will yield positive results to be used in legalizing motorcycle taxis. (Alexandria San Juan)
