Angkas hopes DOTr extends trial run pending law on motorcycle taxis

Motorcycle-hailing app Angkas is hoping that the government will extend its six-month pilot run while a law allowing motorcycle taxis is pending legislation.

The company is optimistic the legislation will come sooner than later as the Department of Transportation-sanctioned trial run ends in December.

“We are always optimistic. I think we’ve come a long, long way in terms of garnering both public and government support,” said George Royeca, Angkas head of Regulatory and Public Affairs.

In May, the DOTr allowed motorcycle taxis, including Angkas, to operate for six months.

While legislation remains pending, the DOTr’s Technical Working Group can extend the six-month trial run of motorcycle taxis, Royeca noted during a press conference on the sidelines of the Roads and Traffic Expo in Pasay City on Tuesday.

“It can authorize the extension of the pilot run until the law gets passed,” he said.

At least four senators filed a bill legalizing the operations of motorcycle taxis or “habal-habal,” including Senators Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Imee Marcos, and Sonny Angara.

Angkas is leaving things in the hands of the DOTr on how motorcycle taxis may move forward after the six-month trial run is over.

“This discussion needs to happen ...” Royeca noted, claiming that Angkas riders were able to maintain a 99.99% safety record since it resumed operations in June.

“The focus is to make sure we are able to abide and be compliant with pilot regulations. Hopefully, we can use this now as proof that motorcycle taxis are viable,” Royeca noted.

The company has recorded over two million app downloads so far and expects an increase in ridership in light of holiday-related activities during the “ber” months.

Despite the increasing downloads and ridership, Royeca said its rates remained the same.

The DOTr has prescribed a P50 base fare for the first two kilometers in Metro Manila, and P10 to P15 for each succeeding kilometers.

In Metro Cebu, P20 would be charged for the first kilometer, P16 to P20 will for each succeeding kilometer.

Angkas counts 27,000 biker-partners among it fleet. Royeca said the biker-partners have been trained in safety protocol as required by the DOTr. —VDS, GMA News