In Cebu City: Tricycle fare remains at P15

CEBU, Philippines — The tricycle fare in Cebu City will remain at P15 as long as the drivers ensure that they will only have three passengers at a time.

The city government will observe such arrangement and conduct an assessment for their next move.

Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Transportation, met on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, with the different groups of tricycle drivers and operators in the city.

This, after Cuenco received a complaint from some commuters that tricycle drivers still collect P15 even if they are already operating at full capacity.  Before the implementation of social distancing on tricycles, the fare used to be P10 only.

In the meeting the other day, the drivers claimed that the number of passengers were less during this time.

"Ana ang mga  drayber  nga maabtan pa sila og usa ka oras sa dili pa mapuno ang  tricycle,” said Cuenco.

This is why those present at the meeting decided to just keep the P15 fare and maintain the social distancing.

Cuenco said the goal of the meeting was to achieve a system that is fair to both drivers and commuters.

“Pinaagi sa gihimo namo nga meeting ,ilahang  na- address ang ilang concerns. We are cognizant of the fact nga dili sayon ilang sitwasyon because naay passengers pud nga conscious sa health protocols, dili gyod nila mapuno ilang tricycles. If ever mapuno man gani, it will take time,” said Cuenco.

The implementation of the P15 fare, where each tricycle can accommodate at least three passengers, will undergo observation for two months.

Cuenco said the city government will make the necessary adjustments based on the outcome of the evaluation.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) will conduct an extensive roving to check on unlicensed tricycle units. In early June, the city government will put stickers on legitimate tricycles.

It is expected that by the month of August, the number of passengers will increase again due to the return of physical classes.

During this time, the city government will decide whether to maintain or lower the fare for tricycles. — FPL (FREEMAN)