‘It’s time to remove limit on MC taxis’ - commuter group

TRANSPORT advocacy network The Passenger Forum today called on the government’s Technical Working Group on Motorcycle Taxis to remove the cap for motorcycle taxis (MC Taxis) so the said transport sub-sector can better serve commuters.

According to TPF Convener Primo Morillo, “We believe it is about time to do away with the limit for motorcycle taxis as it impedes the potential of MC taxis to serve commuters, and provide livelihood for riders. No other than the Philippine Competition Commission recommended the removal of the cap as it will lead to better commuter experience.”

In last week’s joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Public Services and Local Government, PCC Executive Director Kenneth Tanate said the agency is not keen on imposing a cap on the number of MC taxis in the country. It was later learned during the said hearing that other countries do not impose limits for operating MC taxi units.

“It is no secret that many commuters appreciate and patronize motorcycle taxis especially now that there is an apparent lack of public utility vehicles. Even habal-habals proliferate due to the PUV deficit. Commuters know that habals, unlike registered MC taxis, are less safe as their riders do not go through stringent training, and they do not offer accident insurance but sometimes, we have no other choice since we want a ride and they are the ones readily available. The solution to the habal problem is to accommodate them in the government’s MC taxi study,” Morillo explained.

During the Senate hearing, Senator Tulfo also raised that there are more habal-habals in the provinces especially in transport terminals and public markets. Tulfo is concerned that these unauthorized operations are unsafe and he asked MC taxi operators to help train and legitimize these riders.

Morillo said, “Senator Tulfo raised a very legitimate issue while he also understands that habal-habal riders are just looking for livelihood. Removing the cap for MC taxis will allow operators to freely expand in the provinces and ensure that these riders are properly trained towards guaranteeing passenger safety.”

The TPF convener also mentioned that removing the cap will also encourage more players to participate. “The removal of limits for operating MC taxis will truly help commuters, riders, and even the government. We do not have to wait for the passage of the MC Taxi law to remove the cap as the TWG can do it now,” he added.