The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has belied the statement of motorcycle provider Angkas that some 17,000 riders are bound to their lose jobs next year after the LTFRB downsized its cap to 10,000 riders.

Inter-agency technical working group chair Gen. Antonio Gardiola (ret.) dismissed the claim as “untrue and without basis” and appealed to Angkas not to muddle the issue through social media.

Contrary to Angkas’ statement, Gardiola said a surge in the number of motorcycle taxi riders should be expected as more drivers will be taking part in the pilot extension come the entrance of two other transport providers, Move-it and Joy Ride.

The inter-agency group decided that from an initial 27,000 riders for Angkas, an overall cap of 39,000 bikers will be allotted for all three providers during the extension.

Each ride-hailing firm will have 10,000 bikers for Metro Manila operations and 3,000 for Metro Cebu.

“Nagdagdag tayo ng dalawa upang hindi ma-monoploize ang mga datos ng mga kalahok sa pag aaral na ito,” said Gardiola.

The pilot implementation scheme is extended from 23 December 2019 to 23 March 2020.

The TWG is yet to conduct a study that will look into the safety aspect of using motorcycles as a mode of public transportation.