Angkas motorbike riding service unlawful – LTFRB

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) clarified that the operation of motorcycle riding app “Angkas’’ is unlawful since the category of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) only covers sedans, Asian utility vehicles (AUV), sport utility vehicles (SUV), vans and other four wheeled vehicles.

With this, the LTFRB explained that motorcycles under the present law are allowed to ply the road as private or government vehicles and not as a means of public transport where passengers may be charged fees for their rides.

Atty. Aileen Lizada LTFRB board member and spokesperson, reiterated that it is only Congress that can legalize the ride-sharing scheme of motorcycles through the passing of related measures.

She added that private vehicles can offer rides in exchange for fees like jeepneys and taxis provided that they have LTFRB franchises and permits.

The LTFRB spokesperson maintained that it is illegal for private vehicle owners to pick up passengers to make money the same way that “Angkas’’ cannot legally operate as a public transport since it has no LTFRB permit and franchise.

Lizada noted that Angkas can only legally operate if Republic Act 4136 is amended.

Last Tuesday, LTFRB officials held a dialogue with Angkas and habal-habal drivers where pressing issues were discussed including the proposal by the Angkas app management which the agency will receive within the week that it will forward to the House Committee on Transportation.

Lizada said the current Angkas fiasco seemed much like a rewind of the LTFRB’s past ordeal with TNVS groups Grab and Uber.

To provide assistance to the financiallystrapped Angkas drivers, Lizada said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) held a job fair on Wednesday for them where sessions on the department’s livelihood programs were conducted.

The LTFRB maintained that Angkas and habal-habal driver will still be apprehended in the absence of a new law passed before Congress.

Lizada said that the board has no other recourse but to enforce existing laws despite strong opposition from the affected sector.

Commuters patronizing Angkas and habal-habal had scored the LTFRB for clamping down on the operation of Angkas and similar ride sharing services.

They castigated the government for closing down the riding app at a time when the other modes of public transport specifically the MRT have provided the commuters with mediocre service.

The situation is further compounded with the horrendous traffic situation in Metro Manila.

Last November, the LTFRB ordered the closure of Angkas for violating Republic Act 4136 citing that motorcycles can only be used as private vehicles and not be made as public transport.