Transportation woes
Recently, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said that the app "Angkas" is now closed stating that it has been operating with no franchise thus making it illegal. In Manila, a member of the board personally apprehended an Angkas driver making the whole issue even more pressing.
The order has just reached Cebu, the Assistant Regional Director of LTFRB said, and they are set to do the apprehension Monday this week. This means, people who patronize this app will no longer be able to use this unless the drivers will have the guts to defy the order.
Out of curiosity, I once booked myself an Angkas trip from Escario to Fuente in Cebu City. If I took the jeep, it would cost me only eight pesos but I would have to stand by the sidewalk and wait for a decent-looking jeep that has space for me (it was rush hour by that time). The Angkas trip would only cost P23 pesos and in less than a minute the driver showed up with a flashy smile. He said his hello to me and gave me a pack full of face masks. I declined his offer, said thank you, then he came up with a hair net. It made me thought that this might really be a legitimate ride. Still, I politely declined this and just took his spare helmet that smelled of shampoo. The short trip was worth it, we talked but he wasn't really privy about my life. As I got off his motorcycle, I gave him a tip and a five star.
That short trip was really convenient as it was. If the government would take that away, then we would be all reverting to the only mass transport system that we have; the traditional jeep and taxi. Also, unregulated motorcycle drivers who pick up passengers will still continue with their business. This seems unfair. Angkas has been training their drivers, making sure they have the right documents and the right attitude to convey passengers to and from different parts of the metro.
I guess it is high time for the government to rethink the position paper of the transport network company called Angkas. Not only is it a big help to commuters but a way to ease traffic from those who will be forced to ride 4-wheeled vehicles. We all need a transport system that is efficient and fast. Angkas is just an innovative way of making things a bit easier, despite the risks of riding on a motorcycle. At times when no jeepneys or taxis are around, one click of an Angkas ride solves the woes of those who need to go home in the wee hours of the morning. A little consideration is what is needed. Or else, we will be having a Metro Cebu that will be full of private cars because convenience is what the majority will choose over what is regulated. It's time for the transport agencies to place themselves in the shoes of the public.