Grab-controlled motorcycle taxi platform Move It is intensifying its appeal to Philippine regulators to increase the cap on motorcycle taxi units, emphasizing that current limits are failing to keep pace with escalating commuter demand. The company warns that the existing restrictions under the government's prolonged pilot program are now constraining both urban mobility and the platform's operational growth potential.
Mounting Pressure on Capacity Limits
The Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG), operating under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, currently enforces a cap of 45,000 motorcycle taxi units across Metro Manila. This allocation is distributed among key industry players, including Move It, Angkas, and JoyRide. However, Move It argues that this figure no longer reflects the reality on the ground.
"We see that the demand for motorcycle taxis has increased," stated Rich Manuel, Move It's driver engagement lead. He confirmed that the company has formally submitted proposals to regulators advocating for a higher cap to better address the evolving needs of Filipino commuters. As part of ongoing policy dialogues, Move It regularly furnishes the TWG with comprehensive data on demand trends, safety performance metrics, and rider activity levels.
Regulatory Uncertainty and Operational Impact
This urgent call for adjustment comes against a backdrop of persistent regulatory ambiguity. The motorcycle taxi sector continues to function under a provisional pilot scheme, with industry stakeholders actively lobbying for full legalization. Such a move is seen as crucial to unlocking long-term investments and facilitating meaningful fleet expansion.
The tangible effects of regulatory constraints were starkly illustrated in April 2025. The inter-agency TWG slashed Move It's Metro Manila allocation from nearly 15,000 units down to 6,836. This decision was particularly contentious as Move It reported having 14,662 active riders in the capital region at that time. A subsequent amended resolution permitted the company to retain its existing riders while granting it allocations of 2,723 units in Cebu City and 361 in Cagayan de Oro City.
The current ruling allows Move It to replace departing riders within its assigned cap, enabling limited onboarding but effectively restricting any net growth in its operational fleet.
Industry Landscape and Future Implications
Grab Philippines solidified its position in the local mobility market by acquiring Move It's business operations in 2022 for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move integrated Move It into Grab's broader Southeast Asian mobility ecosystem. In the competitive Philippine landscape, Move It vies for market share with Angkas, which is backed by Malaysian private equity firm Creador, and the homegrown platform JoyRide.
Industry leaders contend that a substantial increase in the unit cap—or the preferred outcome of full sector legalization—would yield significant public benefits. These include improved service availability, reduced passenger waiting times, and the creation of more stable employment opportunities for riders. Conversely, they warn that maintaining the status quo with prolonged capacity limits risks leaving a growing segment of commuter demand unmet, especially as urban traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other major cities continues to deteriorate.
The debate underscores the critical role motorcycle taxis play as a vital workaround to chronic traffic gridlock, highlighting the pressing need for a regulatory framework that can adapt to the dynamic realities of urban transportation in the Philippines.
