Senate OKs proposal allowing motorcycles as public transport

By Bernadette Tamayo, Manila Times, 13 Feb 2020

SIXTEEN senators have approved a committee report allowing motorcycle taxis to transport passengers all over the country.

They signed Committee Report 46 of Senate Bill (SB) 1341 or The Motorcycles-for-Hire Act which now classifies motorcycles-for-hire as among the public utility vehicles regulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The Committee on Public Services, headed by Sen. Mary Grace Poe, and the Committee on Local Government led by Sen. Francis Tolentino, prepared the report.

“We are inching closer to having a law that will make motorcycle taxis a part of our public transportation system,” said Poe, who led the public hearing on SB 1341 which sought to amend a provision of Republic Act (RA) 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

There are currently three motorcyle taxi firms operating in the country: Angkas, JoyRide, and MoveIt.

Aside from Poe and Tolentino, the other authors of the bill are Senators Ralph Recto, Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Emmanuel “Joel” Villanueva, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

The bill defines motorcycles-for-hire as any two-wheeled motor vehicle registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which transports passengers and goods on a for-hire basis, and which may utilize online ride hailing or pre-arranged transportation platforms.

The motorcycle shoud weigh less than 1,000 kilograms, can travel faster than 50 kilometers per hour, has a minimum engine displacement of 125 cubic centimeters, and backbone-type built.

Along with the vehicle registration, the motorcycles for hire should secure a certificate of public convenience or a special permit issued by the (LTFRB).

The motorcycle taxis fall under a classification of public utility automobiles along with public utility trucks, taxis and auto-calesas, garage automobiles, hire trucks and trucks owned by contractor and customs brokers and customs agents.

“We will continue looking for ways and means to improve the people’s mobility and assure their safety,” Poe said.