Motorcycle-for-hire services like Angkas will no longer be allowed to operate after March 23, according to the multiagency technical working group (TWG) studying the viability of bikes-for-hire. The announcement was released on Thursday, adding that it sees no reason to extend the pilot test a third time.
TWG chair and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) member Antonio Gardiola said that they would be coming up with a conclusive study after March. “After that, no more [bikes-for-hire].”
“That they are running now on the road is because of the study. That’s what they can’t understand. When we have already submitted our recommendations to Congress, the study is terminated,” he explained.
This announcement was released in the middle of the tension between transport regulators and Angkas. Apparently, a rider cap of 10,000 is set to be imposed on the ride service.
The cap is expected to take effect for the three-month extension of the pilot test, which will run from January to March 23. Angkas claims to have 27,000 riders at the moment, while the new players—Joyride and MoveIt—have 1,438 and 1,414 each.
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