Habal-habal Operators asked: Join legalization pilot study

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)’s Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi-TWG) is urging “habal-habal” operators, especially in the provinces, to join the pilot study on making motorcycle taxi as an alternative mode of public transportation.

Lawyer Paul Austria, MC Taxi-TWG Secretariat, in a statement, said that once these habal-habal operators are part of the program, they will be regulated and will be trained in the aspects of proper operations, particularly in improving their driving skills through more advanced driver training.

That way, these operators can operate safely and securely, which will ultimately benefit the riding public.

The LTFRB had said that once the operation of motorcycle taxis in the country becomes legal, these motorcycle operators will be given attention and may receive benefits out of this program.

“We listened to the wisdom of the Senate and appreciate their inputs on how the public transportation system in the country can be further improved with the possible entry of MC taxis,” Austria added.

LTFRB Chairman and MC-TWG Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said that the TWG will also study to expand the areas for the pilot study of the MC Taxi.

The TWG is also looking into the possibility of additional companies joining the said pilot study as well as the number of riders for the three Transport Network Companies (TNCs) that are included in the pilot study.

So far, the TNCs joining the pilot study includes Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It.

It can be recalled that in 2019, the House of Representatives has tasked the Department of Transportation, the mother agency of LTFRB, to conduct the pilot study to determine if it is safe and make it legal as a mode of public transportation.

The pilot study was first made in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. — (FREEMAN)