Angkas defies LTFRB, won’t stop

TRAFFIC BUSTER An Angas rider ferries a commuter

The popular motorcycle-hailing app Angkas will continue operating despite a recent Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) resolution ordering the apprehension and impounding of its riders and motorcycles.

The Dec. 12 LTFRB  resolution stemmed from a Supreme Court temporary restraining order against a Mandaluyong court ruling allowing Angkas back on the road.

But in a statement, the LTFRB warned Angkas to follow the law and to respect the Supreme Court decision.

Angkas public affairs head George Royeca said they have filed their comment to the certiorari petition filed by the LTFRB and Department of Transportation (DOTr) and has appealed to the high court to  lift the TRO.

But with no final court decision yet deeming Angkas as illegal, Angkas riders—highly conspicuous on the road with their light blue sleeves and helmets bearing the company logo—will continue plying the roads,  Royeca said.

Fast, safe way to travel

Since it began operations in 2016, Angkas has positioned itself as a fast and safe way to travel through its motorcycles-for-hire service.

“I don’t think we have any other viable option for transportation right now,” he said. “What we’re concerned with is our riders’ needs.”

Since Thursday, the LTFRB has been apprehending dozens of riders along Edsa.

P6,000 fine

Once caught, their 25,000 riders face a P6,000 fine, get blacklisted by the LTFRB from getting a franchise and their motorcycles impounded for three months.

Royeca said that they were willing to shoulder their riders’ expenses.

“This is what we have to work with,” he said.  “It’s why we will not stop entering into dialogue with the LTFRB.”

Angkas’ biggest hurdle is Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which bans two-wheeled vehicles from being used for hire.

Unless the law is amended, the DOTr and LTFRB stand by its crackdown against motorcycles-for-hire.

Lack of political will and wariness on the safety of motorcycles  have hampered efforts to reconsider bikes as PUVs.

Data from the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group said road accidents involving motorcycles have reached 5,105 in the first half of 2018 alone, which the DOTr said highlighted their danger.

The DOTr also refuses to amend Department Order No. 2015-11, which would have classified motorcycles as transport network vehicle services (TNVS) like Grab.

This prompted Angkas to file a petition for declaratory relief in 2017, before Mandaluyong RTC Branch 213 Judge Carlos Valenzuela. The petition remains unresolved.

Accident insurance

David Medrana, head of operations, said Angkas had a “99.997 percent” safety rate.

Angkas has yet to provide the Inquirer specific figures.

While it is not an accredited transport network company (TNC) by the LTFRB,  Angkas claims to provide the same accident insurance rates to both its riders and passengers in partnership with the Passenger Accident and Management Inc., the same company that governs PUVs and TNCs.