| Tricycle drivers start collecting P8 fare |
| Written by Eldie S. Aguirre and Roger Panogadia | |
| Thursday, 31 July 2008 | |
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The city franchising and regulatory board (CTFRB) is now distributing fare matrix to operators of tricycles-for-hire that would warrant the collection of P8 and P11 from passengers within the poblacion and outside the city proper, respectively.
Mayor Arsenio Latasa signed City Ordinance No. 08-07 on July 08 after it passed the third reading in the legislative department.
Motorized Tricycle Drivers and Operators Federation (Motdofed) under the leadership of Felimon Villegas submitted a petition for fare hike on June following the series of fuel increases in the country.
The matrix will allow P2 increase on top on the P6 drivers were previously collecting from commuters in the poblacion barangays (Zone-1, Zone-2 and Zone-3), while additional P3 will be charged to passengers of tricycle outside these barangays.
The said ordinance will benefit 3,841 operators and drivers of tricycle units plying their routes in various parts of the city.
Villegas said the implementation of the ordinance will ease the burden of tricycle drivers who have been complaining to have a very minimal take home earning.
“Most drivers working in ten to twelve hours will bring home a little more than P100 in the average which is way beyond the financial requirement needed for a family of four,” Villegas said.
However, the city government has warned drivers to observe the 20 percent discount for senior citizens, persons with disability and students which is within the mandate of a national law.
City Councilor Lanie Gabutero, the chairperson of the committee on transportation warned drivers to religiously follow the matrix and avoid overcharging, otherwise their franchise would be revoked and the driver will be charged accordingly.
A fine for violating the Ordinance range from P500, P1,000, and P2,000 depending on the number of offenses an erring driver have committed, Gabutero said.
Operators and drivers are required to place the fare matrix inside their respective units to serve as reference for commuters.
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