The Land Transportation Office (LTO) today reminded the riders of the pilot participants of the Motorcycle (MC) Taxi Pilot Study Program to refrain from “overcharging” or asking for fares that exceed the guidelines of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on MC taxis and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo “Jay Art” Tugade, who also heads the TWG, issued the reminder to the three key players in the MC Taxi Pilot Study Program, namely Angkas, Move It, and JoyRide.
For their part, the three MC taxi pilot participants gave the assurance that they will not allow their riders to overcharge passengers.
The TWG on MC taxis is currently conducting a pilot study for the operation of MC taxis in the country. The group also conducted an inspection of the operations of the MC taxi pilot participants to determine their compliance with issuances of the TWG.
The reminder on overcharging came after the LTO received complaints from commuters regarding motorcycle riders who offer public transport services and then charge excessive rates even for short distances.
LTO Chief Tugade likewise warned unauthorized riders who offer “habal-habal” rides to refrain from offering public transportation services. He said those who will be caught will be charged with “colorum” violation pursuant to Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01 or the “Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for Violations of Laws, Rules and Regulations Governing Land Transportation.”
“There is no law that authorizes, recognizes and regulates ‘habal-habal’ to be a mode of public transportation so what they are doing is illegal,” the LTO Chief stressed.
LTO Chief Tugade also asked commuters not to patronize “habal-habal” riders and to report them immediately to the LTO in case they encounter any of them.
