Given the city traffic, disjointed transport lines, and surge prices of four-wheeled ride-hailing apps, motorcycle taxis have become a daily necessity for many commuters based in Metro Manila.
Anyone who’s ever had to navigate the metro knows that booking a motorcycle taxi can help cut travel time and costs compared to booking a four-wheel service or driving a car.
In an infographic published by Assortedge detailing how motorcycle taxis are helping Filipinos escape Metro Manila's gridlock, they cited that a 15-kilometer trip that can take 90-120 minutes by car or public transport can be completed in about 35 minutes by motorcycle taxi.
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Ride-hailing moto taxis are especially useful for short distances and congested areas that regularly see bumper to bumper traffic. Personally, I opt to ride motorcycle taxis to and from the MRT/LRT or busway stations from my residence. It's also the most hassle-free way to navigate confusing one-way streets in Makati or to skip the hassle of finindg parking along narrow streets in areas like Binondo or Poblacion.
In Metro Manila, three major players dominate the motorcycle taxi scene: Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It.
For the benefit of first-timers not familiar with using these motorcycle taxis, including international tourists traveling around Manila and readers from the province who need commute alternatives, here’s a closer look at how each service compares in terms of booking experience, app design, payment options, and overall reliability.
Angkas
Launched in 2016 as the first app-based motorcycle-hailing taxi and delivery platform, Angkas popularized motorcycle taxis in urban areas like Metro Manila. For many commuters, Angkas is the most recognizable motorcycle taxi brand, known for its witty social media presence and promo codes tied to current events.
Booking a ride on Angkas is straightforward. The app is beginner-friendly and intuitive to use. To book a ride, just select Motorcycle Taxi from the service types before Angkas Padala (motorcycle delivery services) and AngCars (their four-wheeled ride-hailing service). Input your pick-up and drop-off destination, select the payment method, and wait for a rider to accept.
Since it's been around the longest, Angkas has built a loyal following. Riders are generally perceived as more disciplined, and the company consistently emphasizes their rider training and safety ratings. In most business districts, booking times are quick enough outside rush hour.
While the graphics on their app are fun, the app can take some time to load , and demand for riders can spike heavily during rush hour and payday Fridays, based on our experience. Angkas is often slightly pricier than competitors, though estimated fares for the same route are slightly lower by a few pesos if you pay by cash rather than Gcash. It’s not much, but it can make a difference for those who want to stretch their budget.
When using Angkas, users can pay via Cash, GCash or link a Credit/Debit card. The cashless payment options makes the app pretty convenient for daily commuters.
JoyRide
JoyRide officially launched its motorcycle taxi service in late 2019 and quickly expanded across Metro Manila and nearby provinces. While it started as a motorcycle-taxi hailing app, JoyRide positions itself as a more flexible, all-around mobility app, alongside its car-hailing and delivery services.
JoyRide’s app interface feels modern and utilitarian, with a notes section that lets passengers specify landmarks or rider instructions. The booking process is similar to other ride-hailing platforms.
When they first launched, commuters widely reported that JoyRide offered slightly lower standard base fares than competitors on many routes, though that might not always be the case now.
Based on our personal experience, the ease of booking can also vary greatly depending on one’s location and the time of day.
In terms of payment options, JoyRide accepts cash, eCash, and the JR Pay wallet, which requires topping up with credit cards or online wallets. While cashless payments are offered, this requires passengers to manually open their GCash app and send the fare to the rider's provided mobile number instead of the amount being automatically deducted. Some commuters in a rush might find that extra step of sending payments a bit inconvenient, so they end up picking other services with direct integration.
Move It
Move It also launched in 2019 and gained momentum after becoming closely integrated into Grab’s ecosystem. Unlike other countries where GrabBike is integrated into Grab’s main app, MoveIt can only be booked on a separate app in the Philippines. But since they share the same mapping infrastructure with Grab, locations are generally easier to pin, with dedicated pickup and drop-off points in many key locations.
Among the three major apps, Move It’s app is the simplest to navigate and most responsive of the three. Pin locations are accurate, ETA estimates are usually reliable, and the app feels familiar and easy to use, especially if you use GrabCar and GrabFood services.
Move It is often considered the easiest to book, even during rush hour, because of its large rider pool. Whenever I try to book MoveIt, I’m able to find a driver immediately. However, their drivers also have a reputation for driving fast, so keep that in mind.
Move It supports Cash, GCash and credit/debit cards, with cashless payments, generally smooth and reliable, so you don’t have to carry small bills or change.
Aside from the Moto Taxis service, the app also shows various public transit routes such as the LRT and MRT, making it easier to see which station is closest to ride from at a quick glance.
Move It is also aggressive with promos and discount vouchers, making it popular among students and younger commuters. This makes it best for rush-hour commuters, budget-conscious riders, and those who just want to link their card or e-wallet for easy cashless payments.
How much do rides cost, and which motorcycle ride-hailing app offers the cheapest rides?
The fare depends on the distance, the operator, and the city. Typically, the base fare starts around P50 for the first two kilometers in Metro Manila, and P20 for the first kilometer in provincial areas.
Based on a quick check on a weekday, booking a moto taxi ride from MRT Quezon Avenue Station to the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon Memorial Circle, Move It had the cheapest estimate at P51 base fare or P58 including the optional P7 ride cover (P7 for voucher if pickup is delayed for 15 minutes).
Angkas came in second with an estimate of P60 if paying by cash and P63 by GCash. The Angkas app also allows passengers to update their ride with insurance for an additional P5. You can also rent a raincoat for an extra P49 if it’s raining.
Surprisingly, Joyride’s estimate for the same route was slightly higher at P70 when we checked the app. However, base prices may shift depending on real-time traffic and weather.
Which motorcycle-taxi app should you use?
For overall consistency and the possibility of upgrading with insurance for safety, Angkas still feels like the safest all-around choice, but getting a driver can take longer.
If your top priority is getting a ride quickly during Metro Manila’s worst traffic hours, and you want to save on costs, Move It currently has the edge in terms of fast booking and savings.
If you want to install just one app that offers both motorcycle taxis and reliable four-wheeled taxi services, you might want to go for JoyRide.
It all boils down to your preference. Many Metro Manila commuters just keep all three apps installed and compare fares and wait times before booking, which varies by the number of riders in a specific location. You can also just pick whichever service you want depending on your preferred payment mode. Typically, the fare difference is just a matter of P5 to P20 pesos. If you can’t find a driver on one, then you can always try another app.
