MC Taxi TWG suspends Grab-Move It Collaboration

The Motorcycle-Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) has suspended the collaboration between Grab and Move It.

The suspension order came after the group received complaints regarding the implementation of the project, claiming that the “collaboration was not operating in accordance with the agreed parameters and guidelines.”

The TWG (which is made of representatives from the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) approved the aforementioned collaboration last September 17. It was immediately launched September 23, but was suspended midnight of September 29.

According to the TWG, the suspension was served based on the following violations:

• Grab’s application instead of Move It's application was used to avail, book, and pay for the ride service; and,
• the entire process of training, driver onboarding, marketing, issuance of official receipts and the use of the Grab Driver app was all undertaken by Grab. 

“In addition, the TWG said the motorcycle taxi study does not include a fourth player. It said Grab, through the collaboration, was able to find inclusion in the study as a de facto member. The TWG said Grab’s entry is a circumvention of the processes and guidelines that had been laid down at the start of the study,” the statement noted.

In a letter sent to Move It President and Chief Executive Officer Francis Juan, the TWG explained that the two companies seem “not prepared to engage in the collaboration.” Also, by giving Grab a de-facto membership in the pilot study, the TWG stated that the move gave the impression that Move It has relinquished its operations to Grab.

Meanwhile, the MC Taxi TWG has assured that it “will still pursue the objective of helping lawmakers in crafting a bill that would eventually lead to the legalization of motorcycle taxis as a mode of public transport.”

“The MC Taxi TWG reiterates its role in providing the necessary data to the Congress, highlighting the possible legalization of motorcycles as a form of alternative mass transport for Filipinos, ideally focusing on the safety of its passengers and riders,” the statement noted.

In a letter addressed to Senator Grace Poe (who is also the Senate Committee on Public Services chairperson) dated September 28, the TWG informed her that the collaboration has been suspended.

“While we conduct a thorough validation of the complaints and allegations, the MC Taxi TWG has unanimously decided to issue status quo among the parties. The TWG will call all parties concerned and will evaluate the merits while gaining insight from our stakeholders,” the TWG said in the letter. The letter was signed by TWG co-chairmen Manuel Gonzales and Joel Pernito.

Relatedly, the Lawyers for Commuter Safety and Protection (LCSP) criticized the move of the two “in coming up with an ‘app-in-app’ arrangement, claiming that it circumvents the pilot run’s programs and objectives.”

Meanwhile, in a statement posted over its Facebook page, Move It aired its frustration and disappointment over the suspension, claiming that the order “was orchestrated by a number of stakeholders in the motorbike taxi pilot against them.”

“We strongly condemn this maneuvering by the other stakeholders resulting to this suspension as it is anti-consumer, anti-Filipino and is tantamount to bullying,” the company said.

“We have always been transparent and forthcoming with our dealings with the TWG and our stakeholders, and our partnership has gone through several rounds of discussions with the TWG – where all of their concerns were addressed. So bakit ngayong naka-launch na kami, tsaka kami ipapa-suspend (Why is it that our partnership is being suspended after we have launched already)?” the group raised.

Aside from Move It, JoyRide and Angkas are the only motorcycle ride-hailing companies that were allowed to participate in the extended pilot implementation for the study.

Photos from Grab, Grab Philippines and Move It Facebook pages

Also read:

MC Taxi Pilot Study to Continue, Now with Increased Rider Cap, Expanded Coverage

Lawmakers seek resumption of motorcycle ride hailing ops

TWG: MC Taxi Pilot run cap for 'Monitoring' Only