DOTr green-lights Move It under extended motorcycle taxi program

MANILA, Philippines — Motorcycle taxi network Move It has been allowed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to operate again under its extended motorcycle taxi pilot study.

According to a statement from DOTr on Thursday, the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) decided to give the company a provisional authority to operate again while its authority to operate is still pending.

The provisional authority would run from December 3, Thursday, to December 8, Tuesday.  If it complies with the requirements after this period, the company would be given a certificate of compliance.

“The Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) has decided today, 03 December 2020, to issue Move It with a Provisional Authority to Operate under the extended Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Program, pending approval of the MC taxi company’s enhanced/modified barrier by the National Task Force,” DOTr said.

“The provisional authority shall be valid from 03 December until 08 December 2020. Once Move It is able to fully comply with the requirement/s, a Certificate of Compliance shall be issued to them by the MC Taxi TWG,” it added.

A similar provisional authority was given to fellow ride-hailing application JoyRide, albeit at an earlier date of November 24.  It was also in line with the resumption of the pilot study on motorcycle taxis, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Angkas, considered the pioneer of motorcycle taxi applications in the Philippines, was also given the same provisional authority while talks about health protocols for motorcycle taxis are still pending.

Last October 23, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) allowed the resumption of the pilot study, after it was suspended amid the Luzon-wide lockdown, as fears of coronavirus transmissions between riders and customers mounted.

EDV