Angkas to resume operations this week

MANILA, Philippines — Motorcycle ride-hailing service Angkas is back on the road this week following the decision of a Mandaluyong City court temporarily allowing its operations.

David Medrana, Angkas operations director, said yesterday they are in the process of re-training bikers to resume transport operations and better serve commuters before the week ends.

Last month, Judge Carlos Valenzuela of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 213 granted Angkas a preliminary injunction, which stopped the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to interfere in the operations of Angkas. 

With the court ruling, the government could not perform any act that will impede Angkas’ operations through its mobile application, including apprehension of its riders. 

Medrana said the court order showed that motorcycle-taxi operations are not against the law and “is for the service of the people.”

He said they were trying to get back their fleet as they lost about 60 percent of riders since last year when the firm was shut down by the LTFRB.

Angkas has about 13,000 riders in Metro Manila.

Medrana said they were trying to bolster supply to keep up with the expected ridership demand. 

DOTr and LTFRB officials said they were dismayed by the court order.

They said the government would exhaust all legal remedies to rid the streets of Angkas, which they said is engaging in colorum operations. 

Medrana said they are willing to negotiate with the government to push for regulation instead of outright prohibition. 

“What they should do is regulate this type of service. Delay in regulations put the commuters and riders at risk,” he said in a phone interview.

Transport group Watch, which advocates motorcycle-ride apps, welcomed the court order, saying this will “help thousands of commuters who deserve safer, more efficient and affordable mode of transportation.”

The LTFRB has rejected talks with Angkas, saying the company should talk to Congress if they want to be granted authority to operate as a public utility vehicle under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.