What does it take to manage a motorcycle fleet?

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Daily Traffic (2012-2023) report, motorcycles on Philippine roads grew by 286% between 2013 and 2023. While this may be obvious to anyone who’s ever been stuck in traffic, the statistic makes it all the more real. 
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The increase in motorcycles can be attributed to the uptick in ride-hailing apps and the growth of e-commerce (especially after COVID). In fact, with food delivery platforms like foodpanda projected to be a key driver of e-commerce in the Philippines, the number of delivery riders is still expected to grow.

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But how is a business supposed to manage a motorcycle fleet between traffic and increasing business competition?

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Below are some tips.
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Get a feel for the most optimal routes

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A number of factors make a route desirable: light traffic, accessibility for pickups and dropoffs, and accessibility are just a few of the things to consider. While figuring out the best routes may take some time for new businesses, more established ones likely already have data to figure this out.

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Optimal routes for motorcycles will also differ from the optimal routes for trucks or vans. Be sure to take vehicle size, speed, and fuel efficiency into account when mapping out the ideal routes.
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Monitor vehicles and create a sustainable preventive maintenance protocol

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Unplanned downtime is costly for any fleet. To maximize uptime and meet maintenance needs, have a regular preventive maintenance schedule. Establishing a routine ensures that inspections, servicing, and part replacements happen consistently and the risk of unexpected failure is reduced.

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Additionally, part of keeping vehicles in top condition is monitoring their whereabouts and what happens to them. Many delivery fleets use tracking systems relying on GPS or telematics. In addition to keeping tabs on deliveries, GPS and telematics tools can jumpstart maintenance processes when problems arise. 
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Add incentives

Between the number of passengers who want to beat traffic and the evergreen popularity of e-commerce, good riders are in demand. Businesses that want to attract competent, reliable riders need something to stand out!

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Make riders feel valued by offering incentives for better performance. This can be anything from increased commission rates past a certain number of deliveries to simple gifts given during special occasions. Riders can even be encouraged to join rider-centric campaigns and raffles, such as eTap’s #eTapPapsPapremyo which gives out up to P2500 to 60 lucky riders every single week between late April and June 2025.

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Between internal and external campaigns, there are many ways to thank riders for their hard work.
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Break down costs

Fuel isn’t the only major cost. Maintenance costs, downtime during stops/traffic, payroll, and more take a bite out of a fleet manager’s bottom line. 

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Different software solutions providers track different fuel metrics including cost-per-mile and consumed gas/liters per unit. Some fleet management software automatically breaks down a fleet’s total cost of ownership in real-time, providing a look into if costs are being managed efficiently. 

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It’s not easy managing a motorcycle fleet. While the potential business rewards are high, so are the risks. 

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Thankfully, new solutions are emerging to make life easier both for riders and the business owners working with them. eTap Solutions, for example, has continually expanded its services for the Philippine logistics and delivery ecosystem. The company has seen more riders using its services for top-ups, bill payments, and remittances. It has also seen riders of food delivery and logistics companies are increasingly embracing digital payments, especially to remit their daily earnings.

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Between the new solutions offered by companies eager to serve riders and tried-and-tested best practices, managing a motorcycle fleet is becoming more streamlined and sustainable. As the industry continues to evolve, businesses that invest in smart tools, strong systems, and rider well-being will be best positioned to thrive in a fast-moving, high-demand market.


Article by Pancho Dizon
Graphic by Justin Khyle Calleja

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