Transport groups in Metro Manila have urged government to keep the 45,000 ceiling on motorcycle taxis where it is, citing concerns over worsening traffic congestion and compromised public safety should the limit is raised.
Representatives from leading transport organizations, including Pasang Masda, the National Public Transport Coalition (NPTC), National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines (NACTODAP), Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), among others, advocate for the preservation of the existing cap.
The groups warn of the detrimental impact that an uncontrolled expansion in motorcycle taxi fleets could have on Metro Manila’s already strained transport infrastructure.
“Every additional motorcycle taxi exacerbates our traffic woes and sidelines the traditional transport sectors crucial for our city’s mobility,” Ariel Lim, president of NACTODAP said, underscoring the urgency of maintaining the cap.
Jun De Leon, president of the Public Transport Coalition, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the wider implications on public safety and livelihoods. “We must ensure that each step we take on our roads is a step towards progress, not regression,” De Leon said.
The transport coalition, together with vice chair Joel Chua of the Metro Manila Development Committee at the House of Representatives, is calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the MC Taxi TWG to prioritize sustainable expansion in Metro Manila, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers the city’s traffic flow integrity.
Amid mounting concerns over hasty fleet increases, the coalition advocates for a thoughtful strategy that includes thorough impact assessments and stakeholder engagements before any expansions are entertained.
