The Senate Committee on Public Services recently ordered Maxim Taxi Philippines Inc., a Russian-owned transport network service, to stop its operation as a passenger motorcycle taxi service pending the approval of their application with the government transport regulating agency.
Committee chair Sen. Grace Poe said Maxim motorcycles are only allowed to operate in the country to deliver cargo but not as passenger taxis, thereby undercutting the market and violating their permit.
A Maxim representative tried to explain the company already has its application with the MC Technical Committee to be included in the government’s motorcycle taxi pilot project.
But according to the committee, they are still studying the application for only three MC taxi players who are currently allowed under the program.
Committee member Sen. Raffy Tulfo accused Maxim of operating as a “colorum” (illegal service) for ferrying passengers.
“Apart from putting in danger the security and safety of your passengers for you are not registered and have no insurance, you are also being unfair to other legitimate riders,” Tulfo said.
Another committee member, Sen. Nancy Binay, ordered Maxim representatives to immediately take down or disable their app after it was proven during the hearing that the transport service company was actually accepting passenger bookings.
The Senate committee, on the other hand, praised Joyride, Angkas, and Move It MC taxi transport companies, which pioneered motorcycle riding services in the country, for aiming to professionalize their sector.