Motorcycle taxis are now legally authorized to operate in the

country for a six-month test run beginning the first week of June.

After several months of public clamor, motorcycle riders who are

part of ride-hailing company Angkas can start picking up
passengers again without fear of apprehension.

Transportation officials have given the green light to implement

the pilot run of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila and Cebu City
from June until the end of the year.

This is welcome news to over 27,000 motorcycle units under

Angkas, whose operations have been stopped a number of times
since 2017.

However, the implementation is just a test run for six months to

aid legislators as they finalize pertinent bills on motorcycle taxis.

“Mariin naming binabalaan ang mga ride-hailing service na

sumunod sa safety requirements sa kanilang operasyon. Huwag
ninyong sayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob namin sa inyo… (We
are giving ride-hailing services stern warning to follow safety
requirements in their operations. They should not waste the trust
that we have given them.)” Transportation Secretary Art Tugade
said in a statement.

Angkas welcomed the Transportation Department's decision.

"We are very happy that Secretary Tugade is looking into

this...We will definitely provide all the necessary updates on the
application and also on the information campaign to the public,"
said George Royeca, Angkas regulatory and public affairs head.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board shut

down Angkas in November 2017, saying the company has no
business permit. The agency also maintained motorcycles are not
among the type of vehicles which may be considered for public
transport under the country’s Land Transportation Code.

Angkas challenged transport regulators’ order before the

Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court, which later issued a
preliminary injunction against the government shutdown.

But just a couple of months after Angkas resumed operations, the

Supreme Court issued in December last year a temporary
restraining order against the Mandaluyong court decision, which
meant transport regulators can again