LAST July 2018, Angkas, a motorcycle hailing app was launched in the city. This app functions like grab or any other transport vehicle network service similar with grab. The only difference is that instead of having a taxi, you will have a “habal-habal” for your ride.
Upon a recommendation of a colleague and out of my curiosity, I downloaded the app and tried to avail their services. I usually ride a taxi. But because of the increasing prices of all major commodities, I needed to find alternatives that would respond to the limitations of my budget with convenience as something that I take at the back of my mind. Likewise, with the worsening case of traffic in our city, I am motivated to try this new application and see whether it works.
In all fairness, my experience so far has been surprisingly pleasant. I have rarely considered “habal-habal” as a safe ride. I have had bad riding experiences from the past including those that we usually experience and see when we commute or travel along the road. But my experience in more than five rides so far have been very good.
For one, I appreciate the value that Angkas drivers give their customers in terms of their sanitary practices. When you avail their services, you will be given a face mask. Then, before wearing the helmet, they will be giving you a shower cap. In cases of rain, they will be providing you a raincoat.
Second, I like how the management thought about the safety of their customers. Aside from the provision of helmets, they are also making sure that the drivers would not exceed a specific amount of speed or else they will be suspended. Their speed are being monitored through a GPS system. Moreover, all their drivers undergo a training before they will be allowed to operate. Noteworthy of these drivers are their value of respect and care that they provide their customers.
But one of the best parts of this application is the price. With the same distance that I travel riding a taxi, in Angkas I pay only half of what I usually pay. This allows me to have bigger savings having more or less the same level of convenience.
These experience allowed me to see the importance of having alternatives in the market. These alternatives can possibly be put into reality when people start to innovate and seriously consider and respond to the real needs of the people. With the provision of alternatives and innovation, it is the common people who are the ones being rewarded. But of course, these innovations come from owners who are risk takers and are able to challenge the status quo.
With this is mind, I realized that as a teacher, we should not just allow our students to contribute the same things in the world. They should also be taught how to challenge the current structures, innovate and set worthy trends, and always consider the welfare of others. But to nurture innovators require more than the enhancement of skills but also a heart ready to serve others.