Motorcycle taxi firm Move It to share safety data with gov't

Move It on Thursday said it will share safety data with the government, as the ride-hailing firm takes part in the pilot study to determine if motorcycle taxis are safe and viable as a form of public transport.

“We recognize that in this effort we need to work closely with government regulators, our partner drivers, and our passengers, so we will share any information the Department of Transportation Technical Working Group or DOTr-TWG needs to validate its safety data,” Move It general manager Wayne Jacinto said in a statement.

“One of the seven pledges of Move It is that passenger safety is its top priority. And one of our strengths is the ability of our app to closely monitor how our partner riders drive,” he added. 

Safety data includes statistics on incidents or accidents involving motorcycle taxi riders and passengers.

Jacinto said Move It will also monitor the behavior and driving skills of its rider-partners.

Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II, who also sits as a vice-chairman of the TWG on motorcycle taxis, earlier said the interagency body will study industry data to help regulators and lawmakers come up with necessary laws to govern the bike taxi sector. 

The DOTr-TWG currently allows only three players—Angkas, Move It, and JoyRide—to take part in the pilot study, which is currently limited to Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.

Also on Thursday, House Transportation Committee Chair and Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop said the DOTr-TWG has submitted a report recommending an extension of motorcycle taxi pilot studies into several additional cities and provinces: Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Iloilo, Bacolod, Pampanga, Davao, Zamboanga, Legazpi, General Santos, Pangasinan, and Baguio. — BM, GMA Integrated News