MANILA – A group on Wednesday urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to implement the findings of a technical working group on motorcycle taxis, particularly on a ride-hailing app.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier ordered Grab’s motorcycle taxi arm Move It to slash its fleet by half to 7,000 from around 14,000. The LTFRB has said that the move was meant to reflect the figure of the company’s franchise allocation. 

Move It has since appealed to the LTFRB to reconsider the order. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon however said the LTFRB order will be shelved “pending the resolution of the firm’s appeal.”

Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo, however said the moratorium on onboarding activities should be followed while transport authorities review the ride-hailing app’s motion for reconsideration.

“Para hindi na po madagdagan ang mga riders na posibleng mawala sa roster nila,” said Gustilo in a text message.

Gustilo also hoped that the LTFRB would resolve the motion for reconsideration as soon as possible. According to the group, the “defiance of government regulatory mechanisms is putting more lives at stake and the government must act now before more lives are lost.”

“The real victims here are the commuting public who face danger every time they ride a colorum motorcycle,” the statement read. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, the group said, should also intervene and enforce the regulation.

Move It riders have also urged the government to review the rider cap, as this would displace thousands of hardworking riders who “onboarded through proper processes, completed safety training, and have been serving the commuting public with professionalism and pride.”

Demand for safe and affordable motorcycle taxi services has also surged, they said.

“We urgently call for an open and constructive dialogue with the TWG and our regulators to co-create policy improvements that safeguard both commuter safety and driver livelihoods,” the riders said.

On Tuesday, Dizon said he will sign a department order allowing motorcycle taxis to continue operating while waiting for Congress to enact a law legalizing their operations.