Ahead of the Senate hearing on the regulation of motorcycle taxis, the technical working group overseeing their pilot run recommended the termination of the study—two months before its scheduled cessation.

The LTFRB said starting next week, motorcycles-for-hire will be declared “illegal” and will be impounded. https://t.co/aGTj8Ccci9 pic.twitter.com/4BGfFwKXg5

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) January 20, 2020

According to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) board member Antonio Gardiola Jr., the recommendation to end the motorcycle taxi pilot run was due to legal impediments that prevented their team from efficiently gathering data.

“We are resorting to legal rigmarole sa nangyayaring ito. Bale, nag-file sila ng kaso na na-i-impede ang study,” Gardiola explains. “We cannot gather data because of actions being undertaken on one of the players so it is better to terminate it.”

Following the termination of the study, the motorcycle taxi services participating in the study are deemed illegal and will be impounded beginning next week. As of writing, Gardiola did not specify when exactly this will be enforced.

According to netizens, Angkas saves commuters from being late to meetings, appointments, and classes. The riders are also known to be friendly and accommodating to passengers. Its social media posts have also gained a reputation for being funny, meme-able, and true to the commuting experience.

Header photo courtesy of Niño Jesus Orbeta from Philippine Daily Inquirer

Get more stories like this by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.

Regular Manila-Cavite ferry trips are set to be in operation soon

Senator Leila De Lima files a bill that hopes to protect commuters against abusive drivers