THE Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) is intensifying its operations against electric tricycles (e-trikes) used for public transportation in various areas.
Superintendent Luisito Acebuche, head of BTAO, said on Thursday, November 23, that from October 1 to 31, more than 40 e-trikes were impounded for lack of registration.
Most of the erring drivers were arrested along Lacson Street and downtown area. They were fined P100 each.
Acebuche said that based on the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, e-trikes are considered motor vehicles so the owners should register it with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for a public use.
“If it will be operated as ‘for hire,’ the e-trike owner should also secure a business permit from the city government,” he said.
Acebuce noted that e-trikes are only limited to streets in the barangays and interior areas and not allowed in national highways.
“They can only use the e-trikes for personal use and not for hire because these are not registered with the LTO,” he said.
Meanwhile, Councilor Ricardo Tan, chairperson of committee on police matters, urged the BTAO to find ways and means to decongest traffic this Christmas season and to strictly enforce the ordinance regulating street “barkers.”
Tan said Bacolod has made it clear that it discourages the proliferation of “barkers” on the streets because aside from coercing passengers and drivers to give them their commission, they also constitute as traffic hazards.
“Congestion of our city roads is again observed these days, during the Christmas season, not only because people are busy, but also because of the increasing number of barkers along the streets, intersections of major and minor roads, malls, school entrance, public markets and other populated areas,” he said.
He added that “barkers” are stopping public utility jeepneys and calling for passengers without due regard to traffic rules and regulations.
Tan said there is an urgent need for the BTAO to enforce said ordinance without fear or favor.