Monday, August 27, 2007 Franchising of tricycles proposed
TRICYCLE drivers and operators in Cebu City will soon have to follow the same regulations imposed on other public utility vehicles.
So the City Government can regulate tricycles more efficiently, a city councilor proposed an ordinance that will create the franchising and policy-making body governing tricycles.
Councilor Jose Daluz III proposed the “Cebu City Tricycle Code,” which sets the guidelines for the franchise and operations of public utility tricycles and private motorized tricycles in the city.
Under the proposed ordinance, operating a tricycle as a public utility without franchise will be fined P2,000 or one month imprisonment.
Also subject to the same penalty are the acts of driving a tricycle without a license, refusing passengers, trip cutting, intentional use of unauthorized or improvised plates and overcharging.
Those who overload passengers and cargoes and those who operate with a minor below 13 years old riding on the driver’s backseat will also be penalized.
The City Council already passed several ordinances regarding tricycle operations and in 1998, implemented a moratorium on granting franchises to tricycles.
“Aptly, the consolidation of these ordinances on tricycles, and most importantly, the review of the moratorium on the granting of franchise is already necessary and timely,” Daluz said.
His proposed measure was referred to the council committee on laws and ordinances for review during last Wednesday’s session.
Policy-making body
The ordinance sought the creation of the City Tricycle Franchising and Regulatory Board, which will serve as the policy-making body and will supervise the franchising regulation and the operation of tricycles.
There will also be a Tricycle Regulation Office, which will be created to oversee the standards of safety and good operating condition of public utility tricycles and private motorized tricycles operating in the city.
If the ordinance is approved, those interested to operate a tricycle will be required to pay a P1,000 franchise fee every two years. Operators will also be charged other registration and supervision fees of some P135 upon application of franchise. (LCR)
