Transportation groups called on the government to remove the limits on the number of motorcycle taxis allowed to operate in the country.
Motorcycle taxi operations in the Philippines have been in pilot testing since June 2019. Only Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It have been allowed to operate under this phase.
A cap of 15,000 slots in Metro Manila, and 9,000 slots in Cebu and Cagayan De Oro was set for each of the three ride-hailing firms -- though Angkas has exceeded this, having about 20,000 riders in the National Capital Region.
Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente convenor Louie Montemar urged the government to remove the cap to improve public transportation.
"Ito ay upang matiyak ang mas magandang karanasan sa pampublikong pagbibiyahe,” Montemar said, noting that no such limits are being enforced in other countries.
According to CitizenWatch convenor Atty. Kit Belmonte, the shortage of transport options has “resulted in the proliferation of illegal habal-habals (motorcycle taxis), which are being patronized by desperate commuters.”
“Because they are unregulated, the drivers of habal-habal do not have proper training and they do not have accident insurance,” he added.
Can anyone knowledgeable in economics explain what removing the cap can mean for supply and demand? :(
Valid naman yung concern about the habal-habal and safety, pero as a frequent rider of Angkas, im wondering if more drivers mean cheaper fares? But then what about yung take home ng drivers mismo?