DOTr, LTFRB laments court decision to allow Angkas to resume operations

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) expressed sadness over the decision of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court to allow motorcycle ride-haling company Angkas to resume its operations.

In a joint statement on Thursday, the DOTr and LTFRB described Angkas as “colorum” vehicles interested only in making a profit and not the safety of its passengers.

“Our position is that motorcycles registered in the service are not authorized to conduct business and offer public transport under Republic Act 4136. For them to be allowed, the law has to be amended by Congress,” the DOTr and LTFRB said.

“If Angkas is to continue accrediting motorcycles registered as private vehicles to book rides and accept passengers for a fee, it is considered as without authority from the government regulators, and, therefore, are considered colorum vehicles,” they added.

The Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court earlier granted a preliminary injunction preventing the government from interfering with the operations of Angkas.

In November 2017, Angkas voluntarily suspended its operations in Metro Manila after the LTFRB said that it violated Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

The DOTr and LTFRB said that Angkas will put commuters at risk as  motorcycles are “not a safe mode of public transportation.”

They also slammed the firm for its “unfair business practice.”

“The DOTr-LTFRB, as a regulator, is being faithful to its mandate when it ordered Angkas to cease operations,” they added.

The DOTr and LTFRB also vowed to exhaust legal remedies to ensure that roads are cleared of colorum vehicles.

“Safety is our priority. Following our laws is our priority. Obviously, Angkas in just interested in making profit, and profit alone,” they continued. /ee

READ: ‘Angkas’ is back: Mandaluyong court gives green light for its operations