We have been working closely with regulators. The clamor is to regulate motorcycle taxis properly. We won’t stop until there is a law regulating motor-taxi.

Angkas currently has 27,000 drivers while its app has registered roughly three million downloads since it was launched in 2016.

As it endeavors to help improve the transportation system in Metro Manila and other major cities, the country’s first motorcycle ride-hailing application Angkas is now set to move towards digitalization.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Angkas founder and CEO Angeline Tham said they are trying to keep up with the Philippine economies’ shift to digitalization and e-payment system and is now in the process of developing digital payment options for passengers.

“We are working on giving more payment options for our users. We are now looking at developing credit cards as one of the payment options,” Tham said.

She also disclosed that Angkas is presently in discussions with several financial institutions that can offer high quality digital payment options.

“When it comes to financial institutions, we’re weighing our options right now,” Tham said.

Apart from offering convenience to riders, the new payment system will allow Angkas to continue enhancing their service offerings, payment expertise, and customer support.

Angkas is currently navigating certain legal matters following the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) greenlighting the six-month pilot operation of motorcycle taxis. During the period, the DoTr will gather data that will be used to draft a bill legalizing the industry.

During the same press event, George Royeca, chief transport advocate of Angkas, said they expect positive recommendations from lawmakers after the six-month pilot run lapses on 26 December.

“We have been working closely with regulators. The clamor is to regulate motorcycle taxis properly. We won’t stop until there is a law regulating motor-taxi,” Royeca told reporters.

Once the regulations are in place, Angkas will begin working to meet its profit targets. “(Hitting our profitability target) would take a lot of time but we want to do it. Profitability is in the horizon, hopefully, it will come more sooner than later,” Tham said.

It was in October when Angkas bared intentions to extend operations in regions outside Metro Manila. It currently has 27,000 drivers while its app has registered roughly three million downloads since it was launched in 2016.