2 new operators to rival Angkas  as pilot run extended for 3 months

MANILA, Philippines — The pilot run of motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas has been extended for three more months and two new operators will be contending in the experimental project, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced Friday.

LTFRB said the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) technical working group tasked to monitor motorcycle taxis has chosen JoyRide and Move It as the two new providers to participate in the pilot run.

“Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It will participate in the Extended Pilot Implementation starting 23 December 2019 up to 23 March 2020,” the LTFRB said in a statement.

The three operators were given an overall allotted cap of 39,000 registered bikers — 10,000 bikers per transport network company (TNC) for Metro Manila and 3,000 bikers per TNC for Metro Cebu operations.

Last June, a six-month pilot run was approved in aid of legislation for Congress to further evaluate pending bills seeking to legalize the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles (PUVs). The pilot run was originally set to end on Dec. 26.

On Nov. 20, the DOTr heard proposals from six motorcycle-ride hailing firms, namely Citimuber, JoyRide, MoveIt, EsetGo, Sakay, and VroomGo. Upon initial qualification, only four were considered, evaluated, and inspected in terms of the company profile, operational plans, facilities and equipment.

On Friday, the TWG concluded a meeting with the shortlisted providers and only two were chosen.

Present in the meeting were TWG Chairman and LTFRB board member Antonio B. Gardiola Jr., Co-Chairman Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, Vice-Chairman and LTFRB Board Member Ronaldo Corpus, Co-Vice Chairman Clarence Guinto of LTO, Asec. Mark Steven Pastor of DOTr-Legal, Danilo Encela of LTO, and LTFRB Technical Division chief Joel Bolano.

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III and Ariel Inton of Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection also attended the meeting.

Gardiola earlier said the extension of the pilot run will provide TWG more time to widen the scope of their study on appropriate standards and capacities for motorcycles to be considered safe, convenient, and eligible for the franchise.

“We want to determine their operational readiness and compliance. We also want to determine whether or not motorcycles are really a safe and viable form of public transportation. That is always our priority — the safety, security, and comfort of the riding public”, Gardiola said in an earlier statement.

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