The inter-agency technical working group tasked to oversee the pilot run of motorcycle taxis denied the claims of motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas that almost 20,000 of its riders are in danger of losing their jobs next year after it was asked to limit its number of riders.
In a statement released Saturday night, the TWG called Angkas’ claims “untrue and without basis.”
“The study to be conducted will look into the safety aspect of using motorcycles as a mode of public transportation, and is not bent on depriving motorcycle taxi riders of their livelihood as is being alleged by Angkas,” the statement said.
Earlier, Angkas chief transport advocate George Royeca said about 17,000 Angkas riders are set to be laid off next year after the TWG capped its number of riders from 27,000 to only 10,000. This will make it even harder for commuters to book Angkas rides in the near future, he said.
However, TWG chairman and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Board Member Antonio Gardiola, Jr. pointed out that more riders will be on the road after they brought the total allotted cap of registered riders to 39,000 to accommodate two new players, JoyRide and Move It.
This was announced as the TWG extended Angkas’ pilot run from Dec. 23, 2019 to March 23, 2020.
Each transport network company were allowed 10,000 registered riders for Metro Manila and 3,000 registered riders for Metro Cebu.
Gardiola added that introducing new operators will give commuters more options, and will prevent the data gathered from the safety study to be “monopolized” by a single transport network company.
The TWG also urged Angkas “not to muddle the issue before the public through the use of social media.” (Minka Tiangco)