electronic tricycles (e-trikes) donated by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Amid the campaign for jeepney modernization, the local government of Quezon City is looking to gradually phase out tricycles next.
The city government plans to replace over 25,000 registered gasoline-fueled tricycles in the city with more modern electronic models donated by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The local government is set to deploy five electronic tricycles (e-trikes) to each route in the South Triangle area namely Edsa Kamuning, Scout Chuatoco and Panay Avenue, for a three-month test-run to check its viability.
“Itong project na ito, continuing ito hangga’t mapalitan natin lahat ng tricycle natin na conventional….the sooner the better for everybody,” said QC Department of Public Order and Safety director Elmo San Diego.
The city government is currently preparing a program that will help tricycle drivers make the transition to the e-trike.
Old tricycle units will be replaced through the drop and substitute scheme.
“Kasi may prangkisa yung mga conventional natin. Isasauli sa amin yun, tatanggalin natin ang sidecar para magamit naman nila yung motorsiklo. Pero ito na, itong buong unit [ng e-trike] na ito ipapalit natin doon at ibebenta at cost siyempre; pero may subsidy konti sa gobyerno natin,” said San Diego.
Each e-trike costs over P400,000 — twice the price of a regular tricycle.
It can accommodate six passengers and has a speed of 40 kilometers per hour. It can run up to 60 kilometers when fully charged.
Some tricycle drivers are in favor of switching to the modern units provided that the transition will be gradual.
“Pwede siguro kung makakapagbigay sila ng subsidiya. Pwede yun kung magbibigay sila ng magandang offer bakit hindi. Medyo komportable nga yun dahil maluwag,” said tricycle operator Arnold Samera
Boy de Guia, also a tricycle operator, agrees with Samera saying, “Okey lang po kung sa tamang proseso walang problema.”
Jurisdiction over tricycles is delegated to the local government units and not to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. — Mon Jocson
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