Manila ride-hailing firm Angkas gets reprieve

Bowing to pressure, officials agree to let S'porean-helmed firm continue service

Workers for ride-hailing firm Angkas protesting in Manila last month against a transportation department directive to cut the number of riders who had signed up with Angkas from over 27,000 to 10,000. On Monday, transport officials abruptly terminate
Workers for ride-hailing firm Angkas protesting in Manila last month against a transportation department directive to cut the number of riders who had signed up with Angkas from over 27,000 to 10,000. On Monday, transport officials abruptly terminated a pilot scheme meant to ascertain the safe use of motorcycles as taxis, but backtracked yesterday after criticism from lawmakers. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Philippine transport officials have bowed to pressure from lawmakers and agreed to allow the country's largest motorcycle ride-sharing firm, founded and helmed by a Singaporean, to continue operating.

On Monday, they abruptly terminated a pilot programme meant to ascertain the safe use of motorcycles as taxis.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 22, 2020, with the headline Manila ride-hailing firm Angkas gets reprieve. Subscribe