Mandaue City Explores Electric Tricycle Transition Amid Soaring Fuel Costs
Rising fuel prices are compelling officials in Mandaue City to actively consider transitioning to electric tricycles, a strategic move viewed as both a crucial lifeline for struggling drivers and a significant step toward safer, more sustainable public transportation. Councilor Carlo Fortuna has confirmed that the city is currently studying the potential adoption of e-trikes, highlighting the escalating burden of fuel expenses on public utility drivers and commuters alike.
Urgent Need for Alternatives as Fuel Costs Climb
"Yes, actually, because fuel prices keep rising, and it's very unlikely they will go down in the near future," Fortuna stated, emphasizing the pressing urgency of identifying viable alternatives. He explained that increasing fuel prices directly impact both fare rates and the daily operating costs of tricycle drivers, many of whom depend on consistent passenger income to sustain their livelihoods.
"This has a huge impact on, number one, the fare and the operating cost of public transport," he added. To address this challenge, the city is exploring electric-powered tricycles as a practical option for drivers who may soon find traditional fuel-powered units prohibitively expensive to operate.
"So, we should give an alternative to our operators, our tricycle drivers," Fortuna asserted.
Learning from Boracay's Successful Transition
The councilor pointed to Boracay Island as a successful model, where a complete transition to electric tricycles was implemented years ago. "In Boracay, for several years now, they shifted, a 100 percent shift from fuel-fed tricycles to e-tricycles. And they have been operating for several years now," he detailed.
However, Fortuna clarified that the type of e-trike under consideration in Mandaue will differ from informal or unregulated units seen in other regions. "So, that type of e-tricycle is what we are considering, not the ones you see in the mountains or in Carbon, not that kind," he said. "It's a design really intended for public transport called an 'e-trike.'"
Comprehensive Study and Regulatory Preparation
A resolution has been proposed, urging the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) and the city's Tricycle Franchise Board to conduct a thorough study on how these vehicles can be safely and effectively introduced. "At least, if this comes in and someone decides to shift, the regulations in Mandaue City are already ready how to operate and how to regulate their operations," Fortuna explained.
Central to the plan is ensuring that e-trikes meet stringent safety and operational standards before being permitted on the roads. "The design should be for public transportation, there's a specific design to ensure the safety of the passenger. That's what's important," he stressed.
Fortuna noted that the city aims to be "one step ahead" by preparing policies early, so drivers who choose to transition will not encounter uncertainty or regulatory gaps. "If the current tricycle operators feel it's no longer viable then perhaps they may decide to shift to an e-vehicle tricycle. Then we have already prepared the opportunity for them," he said.
Maintaining Traffic Rules and Prioritizing Safety
Despite the potential shift, existing traffic regulations will remain unchanged. Fortuna made it clear that e-trikes will still be prohibited from using national highways, just like their fuel-powered counterparts. "It doesn't matter whether you are fuel-fed or an electric vehicle, the same laws apply," he affirmed.
The initiative will initially apply only to licensed tricycle drivers, a measure intended to prevent the disorder observed in areas where unregulated vehicles have proliferated. "It's difficult, like what's happening in Carbon now where there are so many of them and it's become a mess, they came in first before the government," Fortuna remarked.
Enhancing Commuter Experience and Affordability
Beyond cost efficiency, the city is also focused on improving the overall commuting experience. Fortuna highlighted that modern public transport must balance affordability with comfort and safety. "Like the modern public jeepneys, they are big, convenient, and air-conditioned. At least the convenience of the passenger is considered," he said. "People will pay even more just for convenience."
He emphasized that any future e-trike system in Mandaue will prioritize three key factors:
- Safety for all passengers and drivers
- Convenience to enhance the commuting experience
- Affordability to ensure accessibility for the riding public
Confidence in Local Registration and Management
While questions remain regarding licensing requirements from the Land Transportation Office, Fortuna expressed confidence that the city can manage local registration through its existing systems. "I'm very sure about the registration of the vehicle itself here in Mandaue City because we have the Motorized Tricycle-for-Hire Franchise Board," he stated.
As fuel prices continue their upward trajectory, the proposed shift to electric tricycles is evolving into more than just a modernization effort. It represents a necessary response to safeguard both drivers' livelihoods and commuters' access to safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation in Mandaue City.
