The motorcycle taxi and ride-hailing service “Angkas” will remove some of its COVID-19 preventive measures-which are hated by passengers-along with placing Metro Manila and 38 other areas on the widest Alert Level 1.
Although motorcycle taxis were still allowed in November 2020 amid community quarantines and Alert Level 2 and above, passengers were required to carry their own helmets (but some did not comply). Other than that, there should be a barrier between commuting drivers versus COVID-19.
“Kami na bahala sa helmet mo [kapag Alert Level 1]. Para wala ka nang dala-dalang helmet pag nasa mall, mahirap lumandi pag ganon. You can still use your own helmet of course,” said Angkas in a Facebook post, Wednesday.
“THE BARRIER/SHIELD WILL NOT BE USED ANYMORE. It’s about time sizt, sa wakas.”
Motorcycle-taxi services JoyRide and Move It have not yet made a statement regarding removing additional requirements.
Many passengers have complained about the government’s policies above on motorcycle taxis, especially since the shields are slapped in their faces while traveling.
In addition, motorcycle helmets cost the passenger at his own expense, costing thousands.
As a thank you, Angkas will give their customers a P40 discount for two trips until March 3 using the promo code NEWNORMAL.
Angkas barriers to be removed under Alert Level 1
In January 2020, the technical working group of the Department of Transportation implemented the approval of motorcycle taxi services in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Cagayan de Oro through a pilot testing.
Meanwhile, to avoid COVID-19, some local government units are still enforcing restrictions in areas under Alert Level 1.
In Cavite, curfew hours will remain in place in Dasmariñas.
According to Dasmariñas Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga, the curfew will still apply in the city from 12 midnight to 4 am.
In Tagaytay City, private companies were urged to continue to implement flexible and alternative work arrangements with employees, based on an executive order from the Mayor’s Office.
Contingency plan establishments are also being prepared for the possibility of lockdown in case the alert level status is raised.
In Manila, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora inspected tricycle terminals in the city to check for Alert Level 1 readiness.
Tricycle drivers have already removed the plastic barriers.
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