Moto-taxi TWG, pilot plan back

The three players included in the motorcycle taxi pilot plan are Angkas, JoyRide and Move It

The Department of Transportation has reconvened the Technical Working Group or the TWG mandated to oversee and monitor the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxi operations.

Last 7 November, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista issued Department Order 2022-021 reconstituting the group.

The three players included in the motorcycle taxi pilot plan are Angkas, JoyRide and Move It.

The TWG, according to the order, has the power to review and supplement guidelines and regulations as necessary and ensure proper and effective coordination among all concerned government agencies and stakeholders involved.

It should also consolidate data and information from the pilot implementation reviewed and submitted to Congress.

The TWG is composed of the DoTr Assistant Secretary and chief of the Land Transportation Office as head; a board member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board as vice chair; and the chief of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic, chairperson of the Office for Transportation Cooperatives as a member.

Multi-agency group

Meanwhile, the chief of the LTO-Law Enforcement Staff, the chief of the LTFRB Technical Division, and representatives from the DoTr Road Transport and Infrastructure Office, or their duly-authorized representatives should stand as members.

The Secretariat, on the other hand, is composed of representatives from the LTO and LTFRB.

Representatives from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Committees on Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Senate also form part of the group.

In a separate press statement on Wednesday, Move It welcomed the order, which it said was a “winwin” solution for commuters and industry drivers.

“The reconstitution of the TWG ensures the continuous operation of MC taxis pending enactment of the appropriate legislation legalizing and regulating the MC ride-hailing service in the country,” Move It said.

“While we await that law, it is important that our commuters continue to have access to an affordable, safe and faster mode of public transportation, which is MC taxi,” it added.