Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Tricycle fare still at P6.50 By Syril G. Repe
THE Traffic Management Office (TMO) in Dumaguete City said the minimum fare for motorcabs-for-hire, also known as pedicab, is still at P6.50 despite the increase in gasoline prices nationwide.
Rey Nicanor Diga, OIC for operations of TMO, said different pedicab operators and drivers last Thursday urged city councilors to act on their demand, citing as basis the continuing price hikes of petroleum and other basic necessities like rice.
Diga said members of the City Council approved an additional P1 increase in the city's tricycle fare rate, making the minimum fare at P7.50 for every kilometer.
But he added that the approved fare increase is still up for final approval by the Provincial Board members.
"Dili madali ang hangyo sa mga pedicab drivers nga ang plitihan mo increase og P1 peso kay bug-at kayo sa mga pasahero (The pedicab drivers' request cannot be given an immediate solution because it will be a burden to passengers)," Diga said.
He said that while gasoline prices have gone up, drivers still manage to earn a daily income.
Under the new fare matrix, drivers are authorized to collect P7.50 for the first kilometer of travel distance and additional P0.50 for every succeeding kilometer or fraction thereof.
Students are entitled to a 20 percent discount, provided they present a valid identification card, while senior citizens and persons with disability are also entitled to the same discount.
Glensio Selem, chairperson of the federation of tricycle drivers and operators in the city, said the fare rate increase is necessary especially with the increase in prices of petroleum and spare parts.
The operators and drivers, who attended Thursday's regular session, pointed out that the fuel increase might be minimal but it has triggered huge price hikes of basic commodities, particularly food.
During the proceedings, most of the councilors were convinced by the arguments put forth by tricycle drivers.
The TMO is still waiting for the final approval of the tricycle fare rate increase.
