LTFRB fines Move It P555.75M over excess rider-partners

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has imposed a P555.75-million penalty on motorcycle taxi platform Move It for exceeding its authorized number of rider-partners.

Move It was authorized to operate only 17,746 rider-partners across Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Cagayan de Oro, but it exceeded this limit by 55,575 riders, according to the LTFRB.

The board imposed a fine of P10,000 for each unauthorized rider, bringing the total penalty to P555.75 million.

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However, the LTFRB said its decision was not yet final because Move It had appealed the penalty.

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READ: Move It accountability, rider protection sought after P555.75M penalty

“As such, the decision issued by the LTFRB on the matter is not yet final as there is a pending motion for reconsideration filed by the concerned motorcycle taxi platform provider,” the board said in a statement on Tuesday.

‘Sensitive issue’

The LTFRB said it could not disclose further details of its investigation because legal proceedings were still ongoing.

The agency also said it was crafting measures to address the situation of thousands of riders who had been allowed to operate beyond the platform’s authorized allocation.

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READ: LTFRB fines Move It P555.75M over excess riders; platform appeals

“The LTFRB is currently crafting measures in dealing with this sensitive issue in relation to the affected riders, while ensuring that the online boarding system of ride-hailing services is strictly complying with the government’s regulations,” it said.

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It noted that these riders had invested their own resources to earn a living and had acted in good faith, believing they were operating under existing rules and regulations.

Move It confirmed that it had received the board’s preliminary decision and filed a motion for reconsideration after reviewing the ruling’s implications on the platform and the motorcycle taxi industry.

Proper process

The company said it was engaging the LTFRB through the proper process as the matter undergoes review.

“We respect the Board’s authority, and we remain committed to working toward a sustainable and adaptive regulatory framework for motorcycle taxis,” Move It said.

The platform maintained that rider allocation should be viewed as a dynamic measure of the supply of riders available to accept bookings.

Number fluctuates

It explained that its rider-partners go online and offline throughout the day based on their schedules, making the number of active riders fluctuate, particularly during peak hours.

“Because of this natural fluidity, maintaining continuous supply for commuters means monitoring the number of riders who are actively online and ready to accept trips at any given moment, especially during peak rush hours,” it said.

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Move It also assured its rider-partners that it would continue working with the LTFRB and other regulators to protect their livelihood. /cb