MANILA - A bill seeking to regulate motorcycle taxis hurdled the House of Representatives on third reading on Tuesday. 

Congressmen voted 200 against 1 and zero abstention, to approve House Bill (HB) No. 10424 which allows the operation of motorcycles for the transportation of passengers and goods, including parcels and mail.

Motorcycle taxis have been operating for several years now, but remain under the “pilot study” program which began wayback in 2019. The program was supposed to end by 2021, but was extended indefinitely. 

“This bill aims to provide safe, sufficient, and economical mode of public transport by allowing and regulating the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles,” said House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Once signed into law, motorcycle taxis will be regulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding the fares and other fees they may charge.

Motorcycle taxis will also have a speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour. 

Operators and platforms can also be held liable for death, injuries, or damage to property that may happen in the course of doing business.

There are currently three main players in the motorcycle taxi business, namely: Angkas, Joyride and Move It, which collectively employ around 50,000 riders. 

- With a report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News