Talisay SP seeks hike in trike fare

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City council yesterday morning approved on first reading a proposal which seeks an increase in the current minimum fare for tricycles from P7 to P8.

"Due to the unprecedented and continuous increase in oil and petroleum prices, many of our public utility transport are complaining that the current fare rate no longer suffice the demands and necessities of today's living," said presiding officer and Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, chairman on committee on Public Order, Safety, Traffic Management and Public Utilities, who filed the proposal.

"Whereas, viewing as well that all basic commodities have also increased a fair and reasonable fare hike affordable and in agreement with the consensus of the many will prevail," read Bucao's proposed resolution which supports the amendment of the tricycle fare ordinance.

The council increased the minimum tricycle fare in December 2008 to P7 amid protests from tricycle drivers' organizations following a series of oil price hikes.

However, after receiving protests from the riding public, the council has set a special rate of P6 for the first three kilometers; beyond that is P7 and an additional of P1 for every succeeding kilometer.

With Bucao's latest proposal, the first three kilometers, once approved, would be P8, and an additional P1 for every succeeding kilometer.

Under this new law however students and senior citizens are still given the mandatory P1 discount.

Meanwhile, the proposal has been submitted for public hearing.