Professionalizing motorcycle taxis

Motorcycles have become a common mode of transportation in many countries, not only because they are affordable, consume less fuel, entail low maintenance costs, but more so, because they are convenient given the worsening traffic situation.

Vietnam has 45 million motorcycles, making it one of the largest motorbike markets by sales in the world, after China, India and Indonesia. Thailand has about 20.2 million registered motorcycles as of last year.

In the Philippines, about 1.14 million motorcycles were sold in 2016, 34 percent more than in 2015. In 2013, there were about 3.58 million private motorcycles and tricycles that were registered here.

Motorcycle taxis have likewise become ubiquitous in many countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Venezuela, Uganda and Kenya.

Last year, Uber launched a pilot motorbike service in Thailand marking the first time that it has offered rides on two-wheeled vehicles. Uber said the new service is aimed at cities in emerging markets where traffic congestion is severe. Other motorcycle ride-hailing apps include UberMoto, GrabBike and Go-Jek in Indonesia, Go Bike in Thailand, Ola in India, SafeBoda in East Africa, Citybird in Paris and Scotty in Istanbul, to name a few.

It is estimated that there are now over 20 million motorcycle taxis in more than 100 countries. The World Bank estimates that this will increase by more than 50 percent over the next five years.

It is no wonder that when Angkas offered its motorcycle-sharing service in the Philippines which can be availed by booking the trip via the Angkas app, it immediately became a hit not only because its rates are 75 percent cheaper than Grab or Uber but mainly because it was a way out of the traffic mess that we are in.

A recent study has ranked Metro Manila as the worst city when it comes to traffic in Southeast Asia, with Filipinos spending an average of 66 minutes in traffic every day. The same study warned that the road congestion in Metro Manila may reach “standstill levels” by year 2022.

Unfortunately, commuters who have grown to love Angkas were in for a big disappointment after transport authorities ordered Angkas to temporarily cease operations.

According to the LTFRB, Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code only allows motorcycles to be registered as private or government vehicles and cannot be used to pick up passengers for a fee. LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada has said that there is a need to amend the law to allow Angkas to offer its service.

Last Dec. 12, the LTFRB held a dialogue with officials of Angkas as well as habal-habal drivers to hear their concerns. Lizada said that the concerns and recommendations will be submitted to the House committee on transportation.

But is there really a need to amend the law?

Angkas has earlier said in a position paper that technically, the Department of Transportation can make new classifications in terms of which type of vehicles can be added as transport network vehicle service (TNVS). RA 4136 Sec. 7q states that “the Commissioner of Land Transportation may, in his discretion, allow the registration under this classification of motor vehicles which do not conform to the foregoing described regular classification,” without need for legislation.

This same power of the DOTr was used when it issued Department Order 2015-11, creating the current TNVS category allowing private vehicles, such as those used in Grab and Uber, to be issued certificates of public convenience (CPC) and to be used for hire without the need to obtain yellow PUV plates.

Angkas officials are still hopeful that a solution to this present predicament will be found, especially with the need to professionalize the motorcycle taxi industry.

To make sure that its riders are safe, Angkas drivers undergo background checks and rigorous safety training while passengers are provided a helmet, shower cap, face mask and raincoat. Both bikers and passengers are covered by personal accident insurance.

It also offers livelihood opportunities for motorcycle owners who can earn as much as P2,000 per day if they work full time with Angkas, or P800 per day if they work four hours.

In a statement, Angkas stressed that they remain committed to engaging transport authorities on the regulation of motorcycle taxis, especially with traffic congestion expected to intensify in the coming years.

Resorting to shortcuts

While the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN bill has been certified as an urgent administrative measure, this is no excuse for our legislators to resort to highly irregular means to have the proposal signed into law as soon as possible.

This is not to mention the fact that all these proposed increased taxes on fuel, coal, sweetened beverages, and even tobacco products, will just be passed on by manufacturers to the consumers, offsetting whatever good the accompanying decreases in income tax will do to our people.

Those observing the activities of the bicameral committee formed to merge the respective TRAIN versions of the Senate and the House of Representatives have expressed alarm over the alleged midnight insertions and failure to observe quorum requirements in its haste to have the bill approved.

Some senators are said to be complaining about the insertion of several provisions that are different from what has been initially agreed upon by the bicameral committee.

Meanwhile, House party list Rep. Antonio Tino slammed what he claims to be a lack of quorum during the ratification of the bicameral version of TRAIN. According to news reports, there were only 10 people present on the floor at that time, short of the 137 required to reach a quorum. 

 It seems members of Congress are railroading the TRAIN bill by doing away with the constitutional requirements on the passage of laws just to please the President and to show that he has the support of the legislature.

The TRAIN bill is no ordinary measure. It can make or break Duterte’s legacy. It has such a pervasive effect on the life of each and every Filipino that it needs to be carefully and thoroughly reviewed by their representatives in a manner that is permitted by law and the Constitution.

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