Angkas cites benefits to economy, commuters in appeal to LTFRB

Motorcycle ride-hailing app Angkas hopes the government would find merit in its appeal to resume operations, saying that their services are both beneficial for the economy and beleaguered commuters.

Angkas voluntarily suspended its operations last Nov. 18 after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) slammed the company for operating without permits.

While the LTFRB already declared that the Angkas case was “considered closed,” the motorcycle-hailing service is not giving up, explaining the benefits motor taxis can provide to the public.

The motorcycle-hailing service already sought a dialogue with the LTFRB. The talks are scheduled for Dec. 12, according to the company.

“The closure of Angkas comes as the holiday season brings traffic to even greater levels and affected commuters and bikers alike have urged authorities to allow Angkas to resume operations,” Angkas said in a statement on Friday.

The LTFRB, citing the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (Republic Act 4136), considered the operations of Angkas as illegal, making it ineligible to receive a franchise.

Angkas noted that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) made exceptions to the law when it created the transport network vehicle services (TNVS) category for Uber and Grab.

However, the TNVS category does not cover motorcycles.

“Angkas has appealed to DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade to amend this department order to include motorbikes, putting Angkas firmly under the jurisdiction of the LTFRB,” the company said.

“Given the many benefits motor taxis provide, both to the economy and for beleaguered commuters, and considering that the rest of the world has already found a way to safely and legally integrate motorcycle taxis into its public transportation ecosystem, there may be merit to Angkas’ appeal,” the company said. /atm