Senate approves the Motorcycles-for-Hire Act

The Motorcycles-for-Hire Act or the Committee Report No 46 of Senate Bill No 1341 has been approved and signed by 16 senators.

According to the bill, motorcycles-for-hire is defined as “any two-wheeled motor vehicle registered with the Land Transportation Office, which transports passengers and goods on a for-hire basis, and which may utilize online ride-hailing or pre-arranged transportation platforms.” Motorcycle taxis will fall under public utility automobiles, like public utility trucks, taxis, auto-calesas, garage automobiles, and hire trucks.

The bill includes several stipulations, such as:

• The motorcycle should weigh less than 1,000 kilograms
• Can travel more than 50kmph
• With a minimum engine displacement of 125 cubic centimeters
• A backbone-type build

To be recognized as a motorcycle-for-hire, owners should register the vehicle and secure a certificate of public convenience or special permit issued by the LTFRB.

The senators who voted in favor of the bill include Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., and Sen. Francis Tolentino. “We are inching closer to having a law that will make motorcycle taxis a part of our public transportation system,” Sen. Grace Poe, head of the public services panel, said. “We will continue looking for ways and means to improve the people’s mobility and assure their safety,”

You may read the full press release here.