IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/retrec/v115y2026ics0739885925001647.html

Formalizing the informal in public transportation: The case of motorcycle taxis transport network service in the Philippines

Author

Listed:
  • Guillen, Marie Danielle V.
  • Gaspay, Sandy Mae
  • Mateo-Babiano, Iderlina
  • Schneck, Justine Alexandra T.

Abstract

This article explores the use of smartphone applications in motorcycle (MC) taxi operation in the Philippines. Adopting the informal-formal dichotomy, and using a qualitative approach, the paper: (1) reviews the development of MC taxis from the livelihood, service, and institutional viewpoints; and (2) explores the evolving forms of MC taxi regulation, including the role of technology, competition, ownership, and agreements. The article confirms the Philippine's long history with motorcycles. It reinforces the role of motorcycles in filling the public transport gap. Ideally, a good public transport system meets the “formal” service standards. However, the policy response has persistently been reactive. Transport network companies used technology to advocate for drivers' livelihoods and legitimize their operations. Unfortunately, this is also symptomatic of the bigger issue that needs to be tackled, the need for a modern or formal urban public transport system that meets commuters' service quality expectations. These expectations include comfort, access, reliability, and environment-friendliness, as well as fair income and benefits for the MC drivers. While app-based technology can improve mobility management, it should also be consistent with the national policy and service quality expectations of commuters and contribute towards more secure livelihoods or income needs of drivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Guillen, Marie Danielle V. & Gaspay, Sandy Mae & Mateo-Babiano, Iderlina & Schneck, Justine Alexandra T., 2026. "Formalizing the informal in public transportation: The case of motorcycle taxis transport network service in the Philippines," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:115:y:2026:i:c:s0739885925001647
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2025.101681
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0739885925001647
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.retrec.2025.101681?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Roberto Dell'Anno, 2022. "Theories and definitions of the informal economy: A survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(5), pages 1610-1643, December.
    2. Nguyen-Phuoc, Duy Quy & Nguyen, Ha Anh & De Gruyter, Chris & Su, Diep Ngoc & Nguyen, Vinh Hoang, 2019. "Exploring the prevalence and factors associated with self-reported traffic crashes among app-based motorcycle taxis in Vietnam," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 68-74.
    3. Alimo, Philip Kofi & Rahim, Abdul Basit Abdul & Lartey-Young, George & Ehebrecht, Daniel & Wang, Ling & Ma, Wanjing, 2022. "Investigating the increasing demand and formal regulation of motorcycle taxis in Ghana," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    4. Mateo-Babiano, Iderlina & Recio, Redento B. & Ashmore, David P. & Guillen, Marie Danielle & Gaspay, Sandy Mae, 2020. "Formalising the jeepney industry in the Philippines – A confirmatory thematic analysis of key transitionary issues," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    5. Kumar, Akshay & Gupta, Akshay & Parida, Manoranjan & Chauhan, Vivek, 2022. "Service quality assessment of ride-sourcing services: A distinction between ride-hailing and ride-sharing services," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 61-79.
    6. Turner, Sarah, 2020. "Informal motorbike taxi drivers and mobility injustice on Hanoi's streets. Negotiating the curve of a new narrative," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    7. Alcedo, Joel & Cavallo, Alberto & Dwyer, Bricklin & Mishra, Prachi & Spilimbergo, Antonio, 2022. "E-commerce During Covid: Stylized Facts from 47 Economies," CEPR Discussion Papers 17001, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    8. Chalermpong, Saksith & Ratanawaraha, Apiwat & Anuchitchanchai, Ornicha, 2023. "Motorcycle taxis' varying degrees of complementarity and substitution with public transit in Bangkok," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    9. M. R. Dileep & Francesca Pagliara, 2023. "Public Transport and Urban-Rural Tourism," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Transportation Systems for Tourism, chapter 0, pages 85-101, Springer.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mansoor, Umer & Jamal, Arshad & Su, Junbiao & Sze, N.N. & Chen, Anthony, 2023. "Investigating the risk factors of motorcycle crash injury severity in Pakistan: Insights and policy recommendations," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 21-38.
    2. Majah-Leah V. Ravago & Renzi G. Frias, 2025. "Towards a Sustainable Public Transport: Finding a Niche to Build Electric Vehicle Industry," Millennial Asia, , vol. 16(3), pages 452-471, September.
    3. Choueiri, Yasmina & Perrotti, Daniela & Acevedo-De-los-Ríos, Alejandra, 2025. "Characterizing informality in urban resource management: Towards an integrated framework of urban metabolism and informal flows," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    4. Witold Chmielarz & Marek Zborowski & Xuetao Jin & Mesut Atasever & Justyna Szpakowska, 2022. "On a Comparative Analysis of Individual Customer Purchases on the Internet for Poland, Turkey and the People’s Republic of China at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-21, June.
    5. Rathore, Bhawana & Sengupta, Pooja & Biswas, Baidyanath & Kumar, Ajay, 2024. "Predicting the price of taxicabs using Artificial Intelligence: A hybrid approach based on clustering and ordinal regression models," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    6. Liviu Andrei Toader & Dorel Mihai Paraschiv & Florentina Chițu, 2023. "The Effects of Individuals’ Levels of Computer Skills on the ICT Sector Employment in the European Union during the COVID-19 Pandemics," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 26(85), pages 67-77, June.
    7. Nguyen-Phuoc, Duy Quy & Vo, Nguyen S. & Su, Diep Ngoc & Nguyen, Vinh Hoang & Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar, 2021. "What makes passengers continue using and talking positively about ride-hailing services? The role of the booking app and post-booking service quality," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 367-384.
    8. Yuan, Meng, 2025. "Mobility governance in remote areas: Evidence from how Qinghai Lake addresses bicycle tourism," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    9. Quy Nguyen-Phuoc, Duy & Nguyen, Teron & Ngoc Su, Diep & Thi Le, Phuong & Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar, 2022. "How do social cues from other passengers affect word-of-mouth and intention to continue using bus services? A second-order SEM approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 302-320.
    10. Mingyu Hou & Jianchuan Cheng, 2021. "The Role of Social Networks in Mobile Phone Use among Pedestrians: A Pilot Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, January.
    11. Abass, Abubakar Sadiq & Aljoufie, Mohammed & Gbban, Abdulrhman M., 2025. "The role of paratransit in sustainable urban mobility: A scoping review," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    12. Axenbeck, Janna & Bertschek, Irene & Breithaupt, Patrick & Erdsiek, Daniel, 2023. "Firm digitalisation and mobility - Do Covid-19-related changes persist?," ZEW Discussion Papers 23-011, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    13. Qian, Zhifeng & Day, Steven James & Ignatius, Joshua & Dhamotharan, Lalitha & Chai, Junwu, 2024. "Digital advertising spillover, online-exclusive product launches, and manufacturer-remanufacturer competition," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 313(2), pages 565-586.
    14. Orhan Bahadır Doğan & V. Kumar & Avishek Lahiri, 2024. "Platform-level consequences of performance-based commission for service providers: Evidence from ridesharing," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1240-1261, July.
    15. Kahr, Michael, 2022. "Determining locations and layouts for parcel lockers to support supply chain viability at the last mile," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    16. Kerzhner, Tamara, 2022. "Formalization of East Jerusalem public transport: Mobility, politics and planning," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    17. Nguyen-Phuoc, Duy Quy & Su, Diep Ngoc & Nguyen, Minh Hieu & Vo, Nguyen S. & Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar, 2022. "Factors influencing intention to use on-demand shared ride-hailing services in Vietnam: risk, cost or sustainability?," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    18. Sunio, Varsolo & Cortes, Robert Z. & Lactao, James, 2022. "Rhetorical orientations for promoting sustainable travel behavior: A perspective," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    19. Yang, Hongtai & Luo, Peng & Li, Chaojing & Zhai, Guocong & Yeh, Anthony G.O., 2023. "Nonlinear effects of fare discounts and built environment on ridesplitting adoption rates," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    20. Wang, Ke & Yao, Dongmin & Pei, Mingyang, 2025. "What factors influence Chinese Women's nighttime ride-hailing preferences? An ICLV model analysis," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East
    • P37 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Legal

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:115:y:2026:i:c:s0739885925001647. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/620614/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.