TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade has approved the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxi operations in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu for six months starting June.

The motorcycle taxis, however, will be allowed to operate only through ride-hailing services platform Angkas.

In a statement issued Friday, May 10, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it has also standardized the rates of motorcycle taxis.

In Metro Manila, motorcycle taxis may charge a passenger P50 for the first two kilometers and an additional P10 per kilometer up to a distance of seven kilometers. An additional P15 per kilometer will be charged after seven kilometers.

Rates may be increased by up to 1.5 times during a "surge" or high demand.

In Metro Cebu, the rate is P20 for the first kilometer and additional P16 per kilometer up to eight kilometers. An additional P20 per kilometer will be charged after eight kilometers.

The DOTr said a public awareness campaign will be waged before the start of motorcycle taxi operations, which is expected in the early part of June.

Angkas, whose operations were stopped by a Supreme Court ruling in December 2018, reacted by tweeting: "Guess who's back?"