UV Express operators want pilot study on motorcycle taxis stopped

A group of UV Express operators has filed a petition seeking to stop the pilot testing of motorcycle taxis as public transportation, Joseph Morong reported on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

The UV Express operators said up to 35% of their revenues are affected by the operations of motorcycle taxis.

At present there are three motorcycle taxi companies operating under the government's pilot study, and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) reportedly wants to add up to seven more.

The government is also mulling to expand the pilot study from Metro Manila to other areas across the country, including Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Iloilo, Bacolod, Baguio City and Pampanga, among others.

"Mas lalaki pa 'yung kabawasan. Imbes na 30% to 35%, I think pag mas marami pang pumasok na motorcycle taxi, baka ma-doble o kalahati ang epekto sa amin niyan," said Alpha Martinez of the National Federation of UV Express, the petitioners.

(Instead of 30% to 35%, the effect on our revenues will likely double if more motorcycle taxis will be allowed to operate under the pilot study.)

The UV Express operators said it is not fair that motorcycle taxis can operate even without franchises unlike public transportation jeepneys and buses.

Pilot testing for motorcycle taxis started in 2019 and should have been over by 2021, but it was extended indefinitely. Bills seeking to legalize the operations of motorcycle taxis as public transportation are currently pending as Congress awaits the results of the pilot study.

The petition by National Federation of UV Express was filed in a court in Mandaluyong City.

"What safety standards should be imposed. Whether or not motorcycle taxis should be legalized... We need to know is it safe for passengers," said Atty. Bodie Pulido, the group's legal counsel, on the issues they raised in their petition.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the LTO and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for their comment regarding the petition. The LTO previously said it needs two to three more months to finish the pilot study of motorcycle taxis. —KBK, GMA Integrated News