Crackdown on e-trikes continues

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) apprehended at least 87 drivers of light electric vehicles and tricycles yesterday, the first day of the stricter enforcement of a policy banning them from major roads in the metropolis.

Fifty of the motorists drove tricycles while 18 others had e-trikes. Fifteen more motorists drove e-bikes and four had pedicabs.

Of the 87 vehicles pulled over, 19 were impounded, the MMDA said.

Meanwhile, the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) reported impounding 30 tricycles and e-trikes at its central impounding area in Quiapo, according to radio reports.

Aside from the P2,500 fine set by the MMDA, violators would have to pay another P1,500 as impounding fee to have their vehicle released.

Acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes maintained that prohibiting users of e-bikes, e-trikes and tricycles from plying major roads in the metropolis would keep them safe and prevent traffic jams.

Teamup

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has teamed up with transport agencies to crack down on colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the country.

The DILG signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the MMDA.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos said this is to protect the riding public and ease the effects of traffic congestion, as ordered by President Marcos.

Abalos said the agreement would combine the manpower of the three agencies alongside the Philippine National Police.

Between March 12 and April 15, the agencies’ combined forces led to the apprehension of 56 colorum operators and 44 PUVs operating outside their registered route.

Violators face P6,000 in tickets from the MMDA and penalties of up to P200,000 from the DOTr.

Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said that this could also help legitimate drivers who said they are losing up to 35 percent of their revenue to colorum PUVs.

Bautista said colorum vehicles also endanger the lives of commuters, as they do not have safety checks for roadworthiness and insurance.

He added that the anti-colorum drive could also help ease traffic, which is causing losses of up to P4.9 billion per day.

Abalos said they are committed to covering not only the National Capital Region, but to provide help for a nationwide anti-colorum drive.

The anti-colorum drive is being conducted as the April 30 deadline for the franchise consolidation of PUVs under the government’s modernization program approaches. – Romina Cabrera