There’s no doubt that the ride-hailing firm Angkas is widely popular. It really serves the commuting public very well, aside from providing a good income for the rider/partner — overall, a win-win situation.
But since the government has ordered to stop the operation, it has become a lose-lose equation.
Now commuters are forced to ride illegal “habal habal,” which may have poor riding habits or do not meet the highly stringent qualifications to become an Angkas rider/partner.
Does Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade have evidence that accidents involving Angkas riders have increased proportionately since the service started operations?
If the only argument by the secretary is that having a passenger on motorcycles is “very” dangerous and that Angkas poses a danger to public safety, then why not order a total ban on passenger-carrying motorcycles?
Make it illegal across the land for motorcyclists to have a passenger. In fact, this will definitely eliminate riding-tandem crimes.
So there you go, Mr. Secretary, now you have an argument!
JOSE SANTAMARIA, j_e_santamaria@hotmail.com