The Mandaue City Council is drafting an ordinance to regulate electric tricycles (e-trikes) and provide legal franchises to operators, part of the city's push for cleaner and cheaper public transportation.
Proposed Ordinance Details
Councilor Carlo Fortuna, chair of the Committee on Laws and Ordinances, said the proposed measure encourages tricycle drivers to shift from fuel-powered units to electric vehicles. This aims to reduce the impact of rising gasoline prices and promote eco-friendly transport.
“We are proposing an ordinance that will formally regulate e-trikes and grant them legal franchises to operate. Any operator who wants to shift from a fuel-powered tricycle to an electric one will have the legal authority to do so under this ordinance,” Fortuna stated.
Economic Benefits for Drivers
Fortuna highlighted the economic advantage of e-trikes, noting lower daily operating costs. “Electric vehicles are much cheaper to operate. Drivers spend less on daily operations while earning roughly the same income because passenger fares will remain almost the same,” he added.
Standards and Partnerships
The proposed ordinance sets standards for franchise eligibility, limiting operations to heavy-duty e-trikes recognized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and capable of safely carrying four to five passengers.
The city plans to partner with the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) and the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) to establish designated terminals and charging stations, including the possibility of solar-powered charging systems.
“Our goal is to modernize public transportation in an organized manner without disrupting traffic while making it more sustainable for both operators and commuters,” Fortuna concluded.
