Government regulators fired back at motorcycle-ride hailing company Angkas over its alleged emotional blackmail in its bid to monopolize the motorcycle taxi industry in the country.
Angkas claimed that 17,000 of its riders could potentially lose their jobs.
The motorcycle ride hailing company also accused the Land Transporation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) of corruption over a feasibility study made by an inter-agency Technical Working Group (TWG) that only 10,000 of Angkas’ 27,000 riders would be allowed to participate.
The LTFRB clarified that the two companies like Joyride and Move It, will each be allowed to field 10,000 riders during the extension of the pilot run from Dec. 23 to March 23, 2020.
The TWG said that Angkas is using emotional appeal in order to lobby its own interest.
“It is quite unfortunate that ANGKAS has made a public spectacle, and has resorted to emotional blackmail in its attempt to cement its foothold on this transport service,” the TWG said in a statement.
The ‘open letter’ was addressed to George Royeca of Angkas.
Transport regulators said that there is no truth that Angkas will be losing 17,000 riders because these riders can transfer to Joyride and Move It.
The inter-agency also accused Angkas of ‘monopolizing’ the motorcycle taxi business.
“The fact remains that you want exclusivity with these riders to establish a monopoly.”
The TWG also said that since there is no law yet that allows motorcycle taxis to have a franchise, Angkas’ participation in the pilot run was a privilege that “should not be construed as a right to impose or demand monopolistic provisions that will be detrimental to the program in the long run,” the statement added.
