QC APPROVES NEW TRICYCLE FARE HIKES

The Quezon City government has approved new fare increases for all tricycles for hire in the city.

Under the city’s new tricycle fare schedule, the general riding public will now be charged from P7.00 to P8.50 for the first kilometer and an additional P1.00 for every succeeding kilometer on regular trips.

For special trips, tricycle fare is up from P14.00 to P17.00 and an additional P1.00 for every kilometer thereafter.

Mayor Herbert M. Bautista signed into law on June 23 the city ordinance raising the tricycle fares. The ordinance was passed by the 26-member council on third and final reading on May 30.

Principally authored by Councilor Raquel Malañgen, the ordinance was described as necessary to help cushion the impact of the increase in the prices of gasoline on the transport sector, especially tricycle operators and drivers.

In the same ordinance, QC also prescribed a new tricycle fare schedule for senior citizens, disabled persons and students, who are all entitled with a 20 percent discount.

Their new tricycle fare, during regular trips, will be P6.80 centavos for the first kilometer plus P.50 centavos for every kilometer thereafter.

For special trips, senior citizens, disabled persons and students will be charged with P13.60 for the first kilometer plus P.50 centavos for every kilometer thereafter.

The city will be imposing a fine of 5,000 or an imprisonment of six months or both at the discretion of the court on any person found violating the provisions of the ordinance.

QC has about 24,000 tricycle operators. -30- Precy/ Ej/ Maureen Quinoñes, PAISO