PICTURE this: you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic along McArthur Highway, the meter on your taxi is ticking faster than the seconds of your patience, and all you can think of is a quicker, cheaper alternative to this madness. In Manila, I found that alternative — motorcycle-hailing services like Angkas, Joyride, and GrabBike, which got me from Veterans Hospital to Bambang, Quezon City, in minutes at a price so reasonable it felt revolutionary. Yet here in Davao City, such services remain glaringly absent, leaving commuters to navigate limited and costly options.
The need for motorcycle-hailing services in Davao isn’t just about convenience — it’s about practicality. Historically, we’ve relied on “habal-habal” or “skylab” in rural areas, those makeshift motorcycles that could conquer even the most inaccessible terrain. While effective, these modes of transport lack the safety standards and legitimacy offered by regulated services. Meanwhile, urban commuters are grappling with skyrocketing gas prices, P50 starting fares for taxis, and jeepneys that often take forever to reach their destination.
Critics argue that introducing motorcycle-hailing services would threaten the livelihood of taxi and jeepney drivers. But Manila, with its bustling network of Angkas and similar services, proves otherwise. There, public transport options coexist, offering commuters the freedom to choose what best fits their needs. If Manila can make it work, why can’t Davao?
For those of us who don’t own cars or motorcycles, having a regulated, affordable, and efficient transport option isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. With Davao’s worsening traffic and the rising cost of living, the time for alternatives has come. As Imago’s drummer Zach Lucero once said, “Motorsiklo ang solusyon sa trapik.” Perhaps now more than ever, that rings true for our city.
Let’s pave the way for a better commuting experience in Davao. It’s time to make motorcycle-hailing services a reality.
-George Evan Borinaga Cuadrillero