Tricycle drivers decry ‘free-ride’ in mini-buses

By Felipe V. Celino 

 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Tricycle drivers here are grumbling at the effect on their livelihood of the free rides offered by mini-buses or modernized Public Utility Jeepneys (MPUJs).

“Dako ang epekto sa amon nga mga driver sang pampasahero nga traysikol ang libre sakay sa mga Modernized Public Utility Jeepneys (MPUJ’s) nga ginapatuman sa siyudad sang Roxas,” one tricycle driver said.

Ten MPUJs started offering free rides on Monday, April 19, 2021.

According to a certain Jimmy, tricycle drivers incurred big losses because of the free ride operations of the mini-buses plying the route from the Roxas City Integrated Transport Terminal (RCITT) to barangays Barra, Dayao, Libas, Banica and Tanza, and vice versa.

 

He said that the situation is hard for them because of the pandemic and limited passenger that can be accommodated by tricycle.

 

Free ride is a mandatory scheme under the Service Contracting Program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Esther Montanejos, Chairman of the Panay Island Transport Service Cooperative (PITSC), said many passengers availed of the free ride scheme and most of them were healthcare workers and other frontliners.

The free ride will run for two months until June 30, 2021.

Montanejos reminded that the passengers must be 16 to 60 years old and must observe proper health protocols like wearing of face masks and face shields.

Strict observance of social distancing is likewise imposed as only 50 percent or 12 passengers can only accommodated.

The program is embodied under LTFRB memorandum circular 2021-029.