TWG ends motorcycle taxi pilot run, declares service 'illegal'

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) inter-Agency Technical Working Group, through one of its officials, Antonio Gardiola Jr., have announced that they are now terminating their motorcycle taxi study and therefore deeming the 3 motorcycle taxi services: Angkas, JoyRide and Move It as “illegal” and will be considered as colorums starting next week.

This announcement came in 2 months before the scheduled end of the extended pilot testing, which was recommended by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade himself.

“It's a complete mess,” said Gardiola in Filipino.

“We're now resorting to legal rigmaroles (lengthy and complicated procedures). The study is being impeded and we cannot gather data because of the actions being undertaken by one of the players [Angkas] so it's better to terminate it,” he added.

Almost 2 weeks ago, the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group (TWG) on Motorcycle Taxis has slammed transport network company Angkas for its "two-faced" position on the government's pilot run on the use of motorcycles as taxis.

This is after Angkas filed a petition before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 223 asking for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the imposition of a cap on the number of participating riders in the pilot run of the program, and the apprehension of "excess riders" as stated in Section 10 of the pilot program's revised guidelines.

The pilot testing will be terminated effective next week.

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