Advocates push regulator to redistribute 55,000 Move It riders to rival platforms

MANILA — Civil society organizations have appealed to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to distribute more than 55,000 motorcycle taxi riders currently employed by Move It to other platforms operating in the country.

The call follows the LTFRB's imposition of a substantial P555.75-million penalty on Move It for exceeding its authorized rider allocation. The regulatory action has left thousands of drivers facing potential displacement as the company works to comply with licensing requirements.

Advocacy groups contend that transferring the excess riders to alternative motorcycle taxi services would protect livelihoods and maintain service capacity across Metro Manila and other key markets. The proposal seeks to ensure that workers do not lose income while the company adjusts its operations to meet regulatory compliance.

Move It had been authorized to operate with a specific number of riders under its franchise agreement with the LTFRB. The regulator's decision to penalize the overage represents a significant enforcement action in the increasingly competitive motorcycle taxi sector, where multiple platforms compete for market share and regulatory compliance remains a persistent challenge.

The outcome of the advocacy groups' appeal could set precedent for how the LTFRB handles workforce transitions when transportation network companies face operational penalties.