Motorcycle taxi operations are set to resume soon, with several new guidelines for passengers. However, the government has yet to indicate a specific date.
The LTO is set to meet with motorcycle taxi operators this week to discuss resuming operations in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. After their meeting and discussion of the new guidelines, a new implementing date is expected to be given.
"Para matiyak natin na nagkakaintindihan tayo doon sa pamantayan sa standard, when they say they are already compliant with this, i-se-set na kaagad natin 'yung start, (So that we can ensure that we all understand the requirements and the operators agree, we can quickly resume operations)" said LTO chief assistant secrtary Edgar Galvante during a virtual briefing.
Nonetheless, it seems many of the government agencies and operators (Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It) are at least in agreement with regard to some the new requirements.
Among them is the requirement for passengers to bring their own helmet with a visor. Only helmets with visors that cover the entire face will be allowed. Passengers bringing helmets with faulty, missing, or no visors will not be allowed to ride.
In addition, all partner riders will be required to have a barrier with specifications approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). Angkas already has their own design which was approved. Other operators have similar designs as well.
Finally, the government is encouraging the three operators to transition to fully cashless transactions in an effort to minimize human contact. These may be in the form of built-in cashless payment / wallet systems integrated into the app.
Once given the green light, motorcycle taxi operations will serve as an extension of the initial pilot run to gather data that may aid the creation of a law to fully legalizing these operations.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Steven Pastor said the extension will likely last three to six months, similar to the initial pilot run that started in 2019.
