For thousands of motorcycle taxi riders, a new regulatory policy could mean more than a change in how platforms manage their fleets. It could determine whether some riders can continue earning from a job that has become an important source of income for their families.
The Nexus Riders Alliance is calling on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to step in over the rider allocation or “capping” system being implemented by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The group warned that riders may be left without a platform to work for once motorcycle taxi operators reach the number of riders allowed under their respective allocations.
“PBBM, help the moto-taxi riders. Protect our livelihood. The riders who will be affected by the cap are not just numbers. They are fathers, mothers and breadwinners who depend on riding to feed their families,” Nexus Riders Alliance chairman Renato Embiado said in a statement in Tagalog.
RELATED: [LTFRB Greenlights Fixed Pick-Up Fare System For TNVS Starting Dec. 20]
More Than Just a Rider Count
The concern goes beyond the number of riders that each platform is permitted to accommodate. The alliance wants clearer answers on what happens to drivers who are unable to secure a slot and whether there will be enough opportunities for them to continue working as the LTFRB issues new provisional authorities.
“Our question is simple: if the number of riders a platform can take in is limited, where do those excluded from the allocation go? If the LTFRB approves more provisional authorities, how do riders earn a living if there is no platform they can join? This is the biggest fear of riders right now,” Embiado said.
At present, Metro Manila has a total allocation of 45,000 motorcycle taxis, with Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It each receiving an equal share.
For riders, however, the bigger question is whether the current system can keep up with the realities of a growing motorcycle taxi market. When an allocation becomes a barrier to joining a platform, the consequences can extend directly to household budgets.
“We are not asking for special favors. All we are asking for is the chance to earn a living,” he said.
The Case for Multi-Apping
The group is also asking the LTFRB to reconsider its policy against multi-apping, which allows riders to maintain accounts on multiple motorcycle taxi platforms and accept bookings depending on where demand is available.
From the riders’ perspective, having access to several platforms provides flexibility when bookings fluctuate throughout the day. They argue that this does not mean taking two passengers simultaneously, since a rider can only physically fulfill one trip at a time.
“Multi-apping is not the problem. It helps riders earn more consistently,” Embiado said. “In a system where they are free to choose, platforms will compete to provide better bookings, incentives and protection for their riders.”
The alliance believes restricting this flexibility could make it harder for riders to respond to changes in passenger demand, traffic and road conditions. That could also have implications for commuters who rely on motorcycle taxis, particularly in areas where demand varies significantly throughout the day.
The group maintains that it is not seeking to remove regulation from the industry. Instead, it wants policies that balance passenger safety and accountability with the economic realities faced by riders.
“We are not against regulation. What we are asking for is a policy crafted with riders, not one where we are heard only after the rules have been issued and enforced,” Embiado said.
The alliance is seeking discussions with Marcos, Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez, the LTFRB, motorcycle taxi operators and representatives of the rider community.
“Our fight is not against government. Our fight is for the livelihood of thousands of riders and the families who depend on them,” Embiado said.
For many Filipinos, the issue is ultimately about how regulation affects ordinary workers on the ground. Rules meant to organize and improve a public service should also consider whether the people providing that service can continue making a living. As motorcycle taxis become an increasingly familiar part of urban transportation, finding that balance will matter not only to riders but also to commuters who depend on them.
RELATED: [DTI Opens P3-Billion Loan Program For Public Transport E-Vehicles]
