LTFRB chief: Grab may participate in pilot study for motorcycle taxi

LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz II FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Grab Philippines can now participate in the pilot study for motorcycle taxis, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz III confirmed on Wednesday.

However, Grab still cannot operate a motorcycle taxi service in the country unless the MC Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) grants them a license to do such service, Guadiz said in a letter where he also gave the green light to Grab’s participation in the study.

READ: Grab not allowed to join pilot study on motorcycle taxis, says LTFRB

“Concerning the actual activation of any MC Taxi app or service on the Grab app, this agency confirms that Grab is yet to receive full authorization from the MC Taxi TWG,” Guadiz said in a statement.

“Rest assured, the LTFRB will continue to work closely with all stakeholders in the industry to maintain fair competition in this fast-growing sector,” he added.

The pilot study, which began in 2019, will serve as the basis for the legislation of motorcycle taxis.

READ: House panel, DOTr-TWG consider pilot rollout of motorcycle taxi outside Metro Manila

The LTFRB chief also explained that the MC Taxi TWG has no existing guidelines that prohibit companies from recruitmenting drivers prior to an expected service launch.

Guadiz, in another letter dated February 1, said that only motorcycle companies Joyride, Angkas, and Move It can join the pilot study on MC taxis.

The letter said that Grab was “not authorized to participate in the pilot implementation study or to operate a motorcycle taxi service.”