A network of digital advocates has sought for a more thorough government evaluation of the entry of Grab Philippines into the motorcycle taxi business on fears of potential market control.
Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo warned of the threat of complete market control arising from Grab’s affiliation with Move It and expressed fears of a possible industry monopoly.
Move It, a participant in an ongoing pilot study alongside Angkas and JoyRide, is a ride-hailing motorcycle taxi app owned by Grab,
“This is dangerous because they may be able to control the market with the two companies that could lead to a possible monopoly, as we’ve seen with what Grab had been doing in other industries they have participated in,” he said.
Grab Philippines, Taxi Philippines Inc., E Pick Me Up Inc., Easy Way Transport Service and Multipurpose Cooperative, Para Express Technology Services Inc. and Market Innovators Inc. have all applied to join the MC taxi pilot study.
The technical working group at the Department of Transportation (DOTr-TWG) previously prohibited Grab and Move It from forming a partnership because such will make Grab a de facto fourth player in the government’s motorcycle taxi pilot program. Furthermore, the TWG said Grab can only participate at the motorcycle taxi program after a law has been passed.
Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza had said the DOTr-TWG is studying the applications of other MC taxi players including Grab Philippines.
Last week, the DOTr-TWG submitted a proposal to the House Transportation Committee to extend the pilot study in major cities outside Metro Manila.
The DOTr-TWG proposed to extend the MC pilot study to Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Iloilo, Bacolod, Pampanga, Davao, Zamboanga, Legazpi, General Santos, Pangasinan, and Baguio.
The motorcycle taxi pilot study at the moment is confined to three cities: Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.
