CABANATUAN CITY – Five electric-powered tricycles have started to ply routes in the three most populated areas of this “tricycle capital” for a 10-day test in an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-initiated effort to promote environment-friendly transport system, city officials said on Wednesday.
Eugene Mintu, assistant city administrator, said the test will check the viability of the eco-friendly public conveyance in this city even as the city government underscores ordinary tricycle operation as one of the most reliable means of livelihood among local residents.
The e-trikes, he said, were sent by the ADB from Mandaluyong City and will be operated by their respective drivers from that Metro Manila City, accompanied by presidents of five tricycle operators and drivers associations (TODA) from this city.
Mandaluyong is one of the first testing areas for ADB-pushed e-trikes.
Of the e-trikes, two were assigned to NE Pacific Mall, two to Megacenter The Mall and one to the public market.
As part of the test, according to city officials, each e-trike has designated charging station. This will determine the power consumption and mileage.
“We will see the viability of these e-trikes under the normal condition,” Mintu said.
If a tricycle is a member of the TODA here which has designated route or waiting area, it has to run even if it has only one passenger while in the so-called “rapok” system or just running to look for passenger by chance, it can fetch passengers in accordance with its capacity, most commonly three.
An e-trike has passenger capacity of eight.
Christopher Lee, president of the tri-wheels association, a confederation of all TODAs here, expressed support to the government’s as well as the ADB’s effort to promote healthy environment.
He said they will wait for the result of the trial. “So far we do not know how it works,” he said.
Mintu said, however, that even if the test proved successful, Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara would not compel tricycle drivers to get e-trike that costs P100,000 to P150,000 each. “Mayor Jay wants it to be voluntary,” he said.
Vergara said that tricycle operation remains to be one of the largest income-generating businesses in the city that hosts a number of public and private colleges and universities, supermarkets, banks, and other businesses.
“What we can do now is allow them (tricycle drivers) to continue business as we find alternative livelihood and employment opportunities for them,” Vergara said during a pre-election forum at the College of Immaculate Concepcion Magnificat Gym this city.
