Angkas vs. Grab in the PH

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As a Singaporean, I’m incredibly unfamiliar with motorcycle taxis as a concept. They’re not something you see here – as a matter of fact, I think they’re illegal.

However, elsewhere in the region, motorcycle taxis are a booming business. That’s how ride-hailing giant Gojek got started – it originated as a platform for Indonesians to book motorcycle taxis, which are called ojeks in the country.

In today’s premium story, we’re looking at a different part of Southeast Asia – the Philippines, where motorcycle taxis have become more common in recent years. In particular, we take a closer look at Angkas, which has been shut down thrice since it was founded in 2016 – but keeps coming back.

Today we look at:

• Angkas and the motorcycle taxi race in the Philippines
• Big money going into Danantara
• Other newsy highlights such as Maya being in the black and upGrad’s AI incubator program

Premium summary

Motorcycle taxi wars

Image credit: Timmy Loen

Angkas is a motorcycle taxi app in the Philippines, enabling users to book rides through its platform. While it’s enjoying a first-mover advantage, it’s dealing with some major headwinds.

• Stiff competition: Angkas faces intense competition from Move It and JoyRide, which have made an impact on its market share and driver earnings. Grab’s acquisition of Move It has significantly disrupted the Philippines’ motorcycle taxi market.
• Uncertainty abounds: The country’s motorcycle taxi industry operates under regulatory uncertainty, which has stifled the sector’s development.
• Keeping your chin up: In the face of these challenges, Angkas is seeking new avenues for growth, including geographical expansion.

Read more: https://www.techinasia.com/angkas-shifts-gears-grab-vies-ph-motorcycle-taxi-crown

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