Ride-hailing apps have created a big difference the way people do their daily commuting. In an urban center like Metro Manila where regular commuting is a hellish experience, locally founded Angkas has made a big impact by carrying people from point A to point B in a faster manner.
At present, Angkas has over 20,000 riders and over 1 million downloads. It has made a reputation of delivering fast and reliable service.
“It is also very affordable to the regular commuter. Minimum fare is P50. Compared to a car, it takes less time to get to a certain destination when you are taking a motorcycle. There are actually a lot of benefits of using a motorcycle,” said Angeline Tham, founder and chief executive officer of Angkas.
At present, Angkas is operating in Metro Manila, Cebu, General Santos and Cagayan de Oro.
An expansion is definitely in the pipeline within the next months, according to Tham. She adds, since word of its efficiency and affordability spread, requests for Angkas to operate in areas where traffic is bad have poured in.
According to Tham, an alternative transport service like Angkas posed a challenge to the transport industry which compelled improved services for the commuters. She adds, services have grown rapidly in the Southeast Asian region, mainly in Singapore
“I think because of technology they are able to make lives more convenient for people and enable them to ride from one place to another. With technology, they are able to make it more efficient and people have embraced this technology to bring them to the places they want to go and I think the Philippines is one of the countries that have adopted it on a very strong basis,” she said.
She noted that motorcycle-based transport services grew in Southeast Asia as the traffic situations worsen and people start patronizing an alternative way to efficiently get to their destinations. In the Asean, Tham said motorcycles have emerged as the main transport vehicle of the people.
Tham said, according to the recent statistics of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), there are about 5 million motorcycles registered nationwide, while there are only 1.5 million cars registered nationwide, of which 50 percent are crowded in Metro Manila
“Actually, we have spoken to different motorcycle groups in the country and they said there are actually 14 million motorcycles in the country. Around 9 million motorcycles are unregistered because in the province whenever you are buying a bike there is not much restrictions,” she said.
“This means motorcycles are the main mode of transport in the country. Seeing the increase in the number of motorcycles on the road means that it is affordable to the majority of the people,” she added.
Tham said the motorcycle has become the default vehicle of the masses because it is affordable and provides greater mobility and efficiency. “We see the number of motorcycles grow on the road significantly because of their affordability, and it just makes sense to go around the area because of the traffic situation,” she said.
Citing a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey made earlier this year, Tham said 1 out of every 3 Filipino families owns a motorcycle, and 50 percent of them depend on it for their livelihood.
This has become a bigger problem, according to Tham, pointing out that people in this group don’t have the access or awareness to learn how to ride a motorcycle. “In short, they did not have a formal education,” Tham pointed out.
They just learned to ride a motorcycle from their father, brother, friend and even YouTube.
Tham said learning to ride a motorcycle is easier said than done. It is not just learning how to balance. She lamented that it has become a popular notion of a lot of people that riding a bicycle and a motorcycle is the same. “That is completely untrue,” said Tham.
“Maybe your sense of balance of riding a motorcycle and bicycle is the same. Riding a motorcycle with the kind of roads we have in the country requires a lot knowledge and discipline,” she stressed.
There lies the problem. In the Philippines, there is only one school teaching how to drive a motorcycle—the Honda Safety Driving Center.
How to be an Angkas driver
To become an Angkas driver, an applicant must pass certain requirements, NBI or Police clearance for background checking.
The applicant must undergo rigid training on riding. Drivers have to pass an obstacle course with a pillion to show their driving abilities.
Furthermore, applicants must undergo customer service training, learning to use the app, and the most important, safety training.
“You will be surprised. You have to teach a lot of people road signs, which is very basic. But a lot of people have never been exposed to it,” she said.
“We also set an obstacle course and it is not an easy test because 50 percent of the people fail there,” said Tham.
So far, Angkas has trained 60,000 drivers but only 20,000 passed and has on-boarded. This is because the company wants to make sure to bring the best drivers to the platform.
For those who failed to hurdle the training, Tham encourages them to retake the training. They don’t need to spend on anything because the training is free.
“When they do pass the examinations, they feel proud to be Angkas drivers. This means they have achieved something,” she pointed out.
Riding an Angkas provides a lot of differences compared to the habal-habal service. Angkas drivers are courteous consistent that now people are reciprocating the same courteousness by also saying po and opo, treating the drivers in a professional manner.
“We really try to deliver professional services to the customer which means the riding public and to improve what is currently out there,” Tham pointed out.
Without Angkas, commuters will be riding habal-habal and this does not guarantee safety and a professional service.
Improving drivers’ lives
Aside from providing convenience and safety to the riding public, Angkas also looks into the welfare of its drivers by allowing them to earn a decent income for their needs.
A full time driver in Manila earns an average of P1500 per day while part-timers can earn an average of P800 a day.
Tham said Angkas drivers have the flexibility to work on a personal schedule, this allows them to do other things with their time, their families, or personal errands.
“They can choose their own time. We’ve seen people spending more time with their families, allowing them to send their children to school in the morning and later open the platform to start their work,” she said.
Angkas has also enabled drivers to pursue their studies through their driving. “We’ve seen quite a few people do that and graduate later,” she said.
Tham said Angkas is open to accept more women drivers in the future. As long as they have the skill set and attitude, they are qualified to join.
Disruptive technology
Tham sees Angkas as a disruptive innovation in technology and transportation. An impressive improvement from the habal-habal which has been in existence for quite some time in the country.
“Disruptive innovation is not new. Apple, Netflix and Uber have changed our lifestyle. But before, American John D. Rockefeller wanted to ensure that people keep kerosene lamps in their homes and he campaigned against the use of electricity. Thank goodness, he lost or else we will be creeping in darkness,” she pointed out.
“Another disruption is the automobile. Before the status symbol was a horse and car was seen as a novelty. Cars were even demonized as the devil’s wagon. It took a long time and a lot of challenges before they triumphed,” she added.
In terms of being an enabler, Tham said technology bring benefits to the driver and the commuter as well in terms of higher income and safety respectively.
Angkas Buhay program
Recently, Angkas became a trailblazer in the motorcycle-riding services when it recently announced on November 25 the Angkas Buhay, featuring the first motorcycle ambulance service in the country – the Ambucycle.
By introducing the Ambucycle, Angkas aims to provide first aid on-the-spot for emergency cases or immediate transport of doctors to the patient.
In relation to this initiative, Angkas is inviting existing driver-partners and new sign-ups to join and be a volunteer to be an Ambucycle driver. The pilot program in Metro Manila will train volunteers to be paramedics. Initially, a collaboration between Angkas, Our Lady of Guadalupe Colleges (OLGC), and Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center (VRP) in Mandaluyong City, Angkas Buhay will pioneer an intensive training course for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT-certified) drivers.
In their program held at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal during the celebration of the first ever Safety Fiesta of Angkas in commemoration of its first anniversary, Angkas Buhay is the latest initiative of the transport app in support of public safety.
Displaying the Ambucyle prototype with a video trailer, a panel of speakers from Angkas and its key partners gave the drivers in attendance an overview of the project.
“We’ve all heard the tragic stories about critical patients who needed to be rushed to the hospital but because of the traffic gridlock and the cost of ambulance rides, many are sadly, dead on arrival. For some of us, this may even hit close to home, but what if Angkas could change all that?” Tham pointed out.
“Angkas Buhay was inspired by the heroism shown by driver-partner Francis C. Belecario, who, last September 3, was instrumental in the rescue of wounded patroller, PO1 Berlino L. Ricafort in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.
Belecario was recognized by the Cebu City PNP for quick thinking and immediate response to the call of duty when he brought PO1 Ricafort to the nearest hospital for treatment. Tham points out that were it not for Belecario on the Angkas platform, PO1 Ricafort’s injuries might have proven life-threatening.
“We started out with one mission, to help commuters beat the traffic, and for many, that is a lifesaver,” she said.
“Then we realized that we could do so much more, not only taking passengers where they need to go, but to hasten the arrival of medical attention for those needing urgent care,” she added.
After undergoing training, Tham said qualified EMT drivers, equipped with life-saving techniques aboard the specially-designed Ambucycle fitted up with medical supplies and equipment, will be able to stabilize patients until secondary medical transport arrives.
Expected to go live towards mid-2019, Angkas Buhay will be featured through an in-app “Emergency” button to match the EMT driver in close proximity to the patient. Tham said Angkas initially plans to deploy 1,000 EMT riders in Metro Manila. “The nice thing here is that through technology we are able to do this endeavor,” she said.
David Medrana, operations head of Angkas, also urged drivers to register for the Angkas Buhay program, “We welcome both new drivers and our current partners to become part of our elite EMT team. Angkas Buhay is accepting applications and we are looking forward to introducing our first batch of trainees to the public.”
On behalf of affiliate VRP, OLGC College Administrator Vincent Mark P. Vergel de Dios remarked, “OLGC and VRP are proud to embark on this partnership with Angkas. Angkas Buhay will help many people and we are thrilled to impart our knowledge to Angkas drivers.”
Provincial Director of the Rizal PNP Police Senior Superintendent Lou F. Evangelista; NCRPO Deputy Regional Director for Administration Police Chief Superintendent Amando Clifton Empiso; LTO Law Enforcement Service Director Francis Ray A. Almora were also in attendance.
Rep. Castelo, a strong supporter of the Angkas sent his commendation on the Ambucycle for its civic-oriented innovation. “We have seen how commuters have benefitted from the safe, affordable, and convenient mode of transportation offered by the platform, and now we can also depend on Angkas to extend another valuable public service,” he stressed.
Tham underscored that Angkas Buhay strengthens their larger brand advocacy for safety: “Angkas is steering 14 million motorcycle drivers to a safe and professional livelihood, and now with Angkas Buhay, the platform can also be a means for saving lives.”
Since launching the service in 2016, Angkas has provided free driver trainings to some 60,000 bikers, on boarding 20,000 qualified drivers across three urban hubs in 4 cities.
Celebrating their first ever Angkas Safety Fiesta which saw 4000 bikers attending the event hosted whole-day seminars for Defensive Riding, Emergency Disaster Response, Riders’ Rights, Local Traffic Rules and Regulations, and Advanced Safety; as well as a bike competition and driver talent show.
Challenges and responses
Tham said Angkas right now wants to debunk the myth motorcycles are unsafe despite the introduction of mechanisms to ensure a safety ride.
She said Angkas also needs to reckon with regulators who want to maintain outdated legislation and not wanting to embrace changes despite clamor from commuters.
We’re making sure that our partners are trained. They have to go through checks, trainings and pass examinations. On top of that, the feedback platform in the system ensures we keep the best drivers. We have a quality assurance system to monitor the performance of the driver,” she explained.
As far as regulation is concerned, Tham said Angkas is conducting regular dialogues with the government on how to make roads safer for people. “We are talking to as many people as we can and work towards proper legislation and regulation around this issue,” she said.
For the future, Angkas wants to look into different ways to empower Filipinos through the motorcycle to improve their livers and give them opportunity through this service.
“Angkas also wants to tell the people that given the proper training, orientation and discipline, riding a motorcycle is a practical and safe alternative for commuters,” she said.
Tham assured the people that Angkas is continuously working to improve their system.
“We want to make sure that we are improving the system. We have a lot of supporters and they love the service. This is a much-needed service and hopes that regulators will embrace the new technology,” she said.
Tham said working in the Philippines gives her a big degree of satisfaction because the people are warm, friendly and talented. With a substantial number of skilled people, she is surprised that the Philippines has not yet gotten the proper recognition it deserves.
“They are passionate what they do. They also share strongly and believe in our advocacy to make the road safe,” she said.
“It is a real pleasure to be working here,” she added.
Image credits: Jonathan Enriquez
3 comments
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