Motorcycle Riding Firm ‘Angkas’ to Suspend Operations on Nov. 18

Motorcycle ridesharing firm Angkas will suspend operations starting Saturday, November 18, following the closure of its office in Makati City for operating without business permit and the apprehension of its drivers during an enforcement operation conducted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) last week.

Angkas apologized to the riding public for any inconveniences that the suspension of operations may cause.

“Allow me to sincerely apologize to both the Board and the public for this unfortunate situation but hope that this can be the beginning of progressive and open discussions with the government for the benefit of our riding public,” Angeline Tham and David Medrana of Angkas wrote in a letter to the LTFRB.

Angkas said it intends to provide “a professional and safer way to ride motorcycles as a taxi service.”

It said the company provides its bikers safety and customer service training and requires them to pass background checks, skills assessment exams and hold professional drivers license. Its rides are also covered by personal accident insurance for driver and passenger.

“We fear that habal-habal will only persist and without proper regulation, this would prove to be more dangerous to the commuting public. Only through cooperation with government can we achieve a truly safer solution to the Filipino people,” Angkas said.

“We humbly seek an audience to share more about Angkas, to understand more of LTFRB’s plans for modernization and regulation, and to discuss with how a willing company such as ours can hopefully continue to contribute to the betterment and modernization of transportation, not only in Metro Manila but in other cities in the country as well,” it added.

Angkas urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to consider amending Department Order 2015-011 to allow two-wheeled vehicles under the transport network vehicle services (TNVS) category.

The department order lumps group sedans, Asian utility vehicles, sports utility vehicles, vans, or other similar vehicles in the TNVS category.

Last November 9, the Makati City local government has closed down the operations of Angkas’ office in the city after it has been found to be operating without a business permit following its joint inspection with the LTFRB.

The LTFRB likewise apprehended 19 Angkas motorcycle riders in a joint anti-colorum operations with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the PNP Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG). (PNA)