The Transportation Department rejected the request of Grab Philippines to offer motorcycle and bike services as alternative public transportation modes.
The department in a letter reply to Grab Philippines on Feb. 26 February reiterated that motorcycles and bikes were not considered public transport for safety reasons. The government said the services were not also in line with the policy of shifting to higher capacity public transport system, especially in dense urban areas.
The department said while Grab Philippines presented the safety and security features of motorcycles as an emerging type of public transportation service, bike riders were still the most vulnerable road users on national streets.
A 2014 study showed about 28 percent of motor vehicle accidents involved motorcycles.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System database showed motorcycles had the highest fatality accident rate in Metro Manila from January to November 2015. Out of the 696 road fatalities recorded in that period, 236 were due to motorcycle accidents.
“Our main objective is to provide the commuters safe, reliable and convenient transport system; recognizing motorcycles as ‘for hire service’ or a form of public transport doesn’t fit into the policy framework of the department,” LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said.
The department has been introducing various ways to solve congestion by reducing vehicles on the road. One solution LTFRB has been doing is the launching of premier point-to-point bus services that can be availed by all commuters.
“The board remains firm in exercising our authority to regulate land-based public transportation, we will not tolerate transport operators to provide transport service using motorcycles or bikes until we have set the proper guidelines and regulations,” Ginez added.
To date, there is no department order of policy that covers the operation of a motorcycle or bike services through the use of an Internet-based technology platform to facilitate a pre-arranged transportation for passengers.
GrabBike driver Mon Carlo Gaya on Wednesday was apprehended by the board when he accepted a booking reserved by Ginez, confirming that despite a cease-and -desist Order, GrabBike continues to provide the bike service.
The board impounded the motorcycle of Gaya, while he faces a fine amounting to P6,000. The CDO remains in effect.