The motorcycle is a popular mode of transport in the Philippines with a total of 4,872,065 motorcycles registered in the country, of which 860,517 (17.7%) are registered in Metro Manila. While, most motorcycles are used as private transport, deficiencies in public transport services and road infrastructure, many motorcycles have evolved to become taxis. There are two main types of motorcycle taxis in the Philippines the habal-habal and the skylab. This study presents the operational characteristics of these motorcycle taxis. Two cases are examined. The rural case is on motorcycle taxi operations in Surigao Del Sur in the southeastern Philippines, and the urban case is in Pasig and Taguig in Metro Manila. Profiles of operators, drivers and passengers are also presented. Recommendations are made towards integrating and formalizing these motorcycle taxis as part of the public transport system in the context of accessibility, mobility and safety.