Angkas hits 10,000-biker limit, says 17,000 riders might lose their jobs

“Your everyday heroes in traffic will enter this Christmas season not knowing whether they will have money to feed their families next year,” it said. (File photo: Angkas/Facebook)

The Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Technical Working Group (TWG) may have extended the pilot run of motorcycle taxis, however, this decision might affect the jobs of some riders as the government put a cap on their number.

In a statement released on Saturday, December 21, motorcycle taxi company Angkas revealed that 17,000 out of its current 27,000 bikers may lose their jobs after the government set a new cap of 39,000 divided among Angkas, and two new providers JoyRide, and Move  It – 10,000 for Metro Manila and 3,000 for Metro Cebu per ride-hailing company.

“Your everyday heroes in traffic will enter this Christmas season not knowing whether they will have money to feed their families next year,” it said.

Angkas noted that some commuters are finding it difficult to book rides in the last few weeks. As much as they wanted to increase the number of their bikers to serve and help the public with their daily traffic struggles, Angkas said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) did not give them permission to do so.

“Kahit patawa at balasubas kami sa (While we try to be funny and fool around in) social media, we prioritize the safety of our passengers and the welfare of our bikers, which will now become much harder to do with these new rules. The traffic in our thoroughfares is getting heavier each day, and there are more and more commuters to serve as time goes by,” Angkas stressed.

“Bakit kailangang bawasan at tanggalan ng trabaho ang mga bikers natin? Bakit kailangang parushan ang mga bikers na nakapag-training at napatunayan ang galing sa daan (Why do we need to reduce and take away the jobs of our bikers? Why do we need to punish our bikers who are well-trained and has proved their mastery on the roads)?” it added.

Angkas then asked the public to help them spread their message, saying, “Help us #SaveAngkas so we and our bikers can help save you again every day.”

Netizens, meanwhile, were quick to share the statement on various social media platforms and expressed their support to the Angkas bikers.

As of publication, the TWG has not yet responded to Angkas’ statement yet.