Motoring Today Column

Oct 20, 2021

Motorcycle taxi operation are closer to become legal.

While they are authorized to operate in Metro Manila and in the cities of Cebu, General Santos and Cagayan de Oro City, this is only on a provisionary basis.

This was meant for gathering data on safety and feasibility of motorcycle taxis for purpose of enacting a law to legalize their operations.

But already the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation has approved the Motorcycle-For-Hire Regulation Act filed by Navotas Rep. John Reynald Tiangco just last week.

Tiangco's bill consolidates 18 others that seek to regulate the use of motorcycles-for-hire or motorcycle taxis for public transportation.

In defending his bill, Tiangco, who served as chairperson of the technical working group (TWG) looking into motorcycle taxi operations, said: "It is the object of this measure to bring this mode of transportation into proper regulation to ensure that regardless of its promising potential, the economic safety and other aspects of its operations are properly carried out."

Under Tiangco's bill, theDepartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will recommend the standards and specifications of motorcycles which can be used as a common carrier.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will oversee the franchising of motorcycles-for-hire, including the setting of fares.

The bill also calls for mandatory use of digital platforms for hailing and availing of motorcycle taxis to prevent colorum operations.

A provision in the bill sets the maximum speed for motorcycle taxi operation at 60 kph while still subjecting them to speed limits set by law.

The bill will still have to be approved by the House, before being sent to the Senate which may also come out with its own version of a law on motorcycle taxis. After both chambers of Congress approves a consolidated bill, this will then be forwarded to the president for his approval.

Laws for legitimizing motorcycle taxi operations have been percolating in Congress for a while now. Perhaps this is why the House committee seems to be fast-tracking the measure filed by Tiangco.

It would be interesting to see if senators are also moving at the same pace as the House to formally legalize motorcycle taxis.

'enTSUPERnuer' Accord

No one can still accuse Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade of using his office to propel himself to the Senate.

Tugade has already withdrawn his candidacy but is still actively promoting initiatives meant to help drivers and transport operators survive the pandemic while also helping to provide them new livelihood opportunies as the DOTr pursues its public utility vehicle modernization (PUVMP) .

Tugade's latest undertaking is the signing of an "enTSUPERneur" Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the DoTr, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC).

The MOA seeks to facilitate implementation of the DOTr's enTSUPERneur program that seeks to help provide funding and livelihood support to drivers and transport operators affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the PUVMP.

The program will help beneficiaries learn new livelihood skills that include, among many others, establishing sari-sari stores, food business, repair shops, beauty parlors, and other small business enterprises.

Under the MOA, the LTFRB and the OTC will be responsible for identifying beneficiaries of the enTSUPERneur program which include drivers, conductors, dispatchers, mechanics and other public transport employees regardless of whether they are members of transport cooperatives or not.

Under the MOA, each individual beneficiary is entitled toP30,000 while cooperatives can get as much as P1,000,000 for group projects.

Smooth Operator

It may be the first time ever that a truck series is called "Smoother."

But Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) just did. And maybe calling its latest N-Series variant Smoother is quite apt.

IPC has just rolled out the Isuzu N-Series Smoother, its first light duty truck installed with the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) technology.

According to Isuzu, the AMT works like a manual transmission with a computer system taking over the clutch system which allows the N-Series Smoother to achieve the performance of an MT without need of a third pedal.

"Basically, the Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER provides the combined advantages of an AT's easy driving operation and MT's fuel efficiency," IPC says.

IPC President Hajime Koso says: "In the Philippines, trucks are maximized and utilized almost at 24/ 7 operations. And with the increasing demand for delivery, especially in logistics, truckers deal not just with the increase in their operation expenses, particularly fuel and maintenance, but also the need for more professional drivers which has become quite a problem. So, we thought, why not make our next truck address all these challenges and more."

Cooler Coolray

The Geely Coolray has had quite a successful run following its introduction in the market, mainly because of its cool design, impressive ride, and fun bits of interior comfort and smart connectivity features.

Can it possibly be made even cooler?

Yes, says Geely Philippines while launching the Coolray Sport Limited.

It's still the same stylish Coolray powered by 1.5-liter turbocharged direct injection engine with 7-speed wet type dual clutch transmission which churns out 177 Ps of power and 255 Nm of Torque.

But with cooler new features that include 18-inch black turbine-inspired wheels; power tailgate with memory function; ventilated seats, black roof fitted with panoramic sunroof, and carbon fiber trim.

You can have the cooler Coolray for P1,218,000.

Happy Motoring!!!

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