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| Motorcycle instructor Karl Tuguib shows drivers the proper way of riding a motorcycle during Angkas' retraining course in Manila held last June 13, 2019. (Image Source: Philstar.com/Edd Gumban) |
By
the end of June, the Philippines' first motorcycle taxi service Angkas is ready
to roll for its six-month pilot operation across Metro Manila and Metro Cebu
with additional safety measures in place and more than 27,000 biker-partners
undergo retraining. This comes after the Department of Transportation (DOTr)
officially released a memorandum granting the service a limited pilot run where
the outcome of the said operations will become a basis for studying the
feasibility of motorcycle taxis.
Angkas
Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs George Royeca stated in a press conference
that the operation will be in compliance with the directive and recommendations
by DOTr's Technical Working Group. Meanwhile, Angkas Operations Head David
Medrana revealed that the bikers will be wearing special reflectorized vests
with side straps for the six-month pilot run. These vests will help bikers
become more visible at night and aid passengers in holding on to the biker's waist.
They come with the biker's unique ID number ensuring that only officially-registered
partners will take the bookings.
Every
Angkas biker-partner and passenger is insured for every ride assuring that travelling
via Angkas is more safer than usual. The service has trained more than 100,000
registered bikers prior to the pilot operations but accredited 27,000 due to
its stringest standards. In every ride, Angkas is also monitoring the performance
of its biker-partners and eventually addressing any concerns immediately. This
resulted in its 99.97% current safety record which was once disregarded by the LTFRB
before DOTr's release of the memorandum last summer.
Angkas'
six-month pilot operation will surely help the 18th Congress create a law legitimizing
motorcycle taxis in the Philippines and the service is hopeful that it will become
possible since it is one of the best ways to travel today especially in Metro
Manila and Metro Cebu. Let's assume ourselves that everything that will be done
until the holiday season will not be in vain. God speed, Angkas!!
