Butuan City rolls out tricycle modernization
By
Renelle Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – The city of Butuan has started implementing its tricycle modernization program, dubbed “TRIsakay,” which officials claim is a pioneering attempt to modernize the operation of tricycles as public utility vehicles.
In an
interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Eldie N. David, public
relations officer of the City Transportation and Traffic Management Division
(CTTMD), said the program was adopted from the same framework used by the
national government in the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
“For this
year, 25 percent of the tricycle franchise operators will be converted from
individual to cooperative or association, which is patterned after the program
of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on public
utility vehicle modernization (PUVM).”
During his interview with PIA Caraga, Eldie N.
David, public relations officer of the City Transportation and Traffic
Management Division (CTTMD) of Butuan City, presented the tricycle
modernization program. It’s more than changing the tricycle unit; it is
transforming the entire tricycle operation system of the city. Photo of PIA
Caraga.
“TRIsakay offers a six-seater electric or fuel-based tricycle unit that passed at least the Euro 3 standard emission with a better brake system, improved stability, comfortable seating capacity, efficiency, and cost-saving travel time, among others,” David said.
In 2025,
conversion will expand to 50 percent and increase to 75 percent in 2026. Full
implementation of the TRIsakay and adherence to tricycle modernization will
happen in 2027.
David further presented that TRIsakay is designed to re-engineer the entire tricycle system in the city of Butuan to achieve safe, efficient, and environment-friendly tricycle units.
More than
just changing to a better unit, the whole process of modernizing the tricycle
system involves the following significant components:
During the modern tricycle roadshow, the City Transportation and Traffic Management Division of Butuan City exhibited different tricycle units qualified under the TRIsakay program. This tricycle unit passed the EURO 3 standard and can accommodate up to six passengers. Photo courtesy of Radyo Pilipinas.
• Regulatory reform that will identify the feasible number of tricycle units that the city needs. This will bring equilibrium to the income of the drivers and quality service to the commuters.
• Route
rationalization will establish the service agreement on specific
routes for the tricycle units, including designated drop points and terminals.
For this program, the city will be divided into four zones that will also
address the presence of ‘colorum vehicles, overcharging of fare, and other
violations.
• Industry
consolidation that will convert the franchise operators to
cooperatives or associations, wherein existing drivers may form a group to
qualify for the initial franchise requirement. This scheme follows the one
zone, one operator policy.
• Financing that
will provide feasibility for the drivers and operators to replace their rolling
units with the assistance of the city government and other stakeholders in the
provision of capital equity.
• Fleet
modernization will require operators and drivers to replace their
old units with the recommended 6-seater electric or fuel-based tricycle units
that will guarantee safety, comfort, and sustainability.
• Vehicle
use lifetime program, which allows the LGU to provide a scrapping
facility for the disposal of old units.
• Social
support mechanism that will sustain the livelihood of the drivers
who will not qualify or those who will opt not to join the program. The city
government will be in strong coordination with the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment and Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
• Mandatory
drivers’ education that will offer continuing educationfor drivers
on road safety and traffic rules, observance of the Safe Spaces Act, and values
formation, including mandatory drug testing.
• Communication will
be systematic and orderly since any collaboration and convergence will be
addressed to the cooperatives and associations only as operators.
David highlighted the CTTMD’s focused efforts in 2023, ensuring strong information drive and collaboration with drivers, operators, commuters, and stakeholders through a series of public and multi-sectoral consultations, clarificatory meetings, media briefings, and press conferences to clearly deliver the objectives of the program and address any gaps and challenges.
Aljun, a
tricycle driver from Barangay San Vicente, expressed his full support
forTRIsakay in the recent modern tricycle roadshow in Butuan City on Feb. 14,
as part of the program’s kick-off activity.
The City Transportation and Traffic Management Division of Butuan City dedicated the year 2023 to the massive rollout and cascading of the programs to all drivers and operators in the city to guarantee their awareness and preparedness for the program implementation in 2024. Commuters' participation was also considered in all engagements. Photo courtesy of Tricycle Modernization Program.
“Nakasabot ko ngano kinahanglan nato nga ilisan na ang atong mga tricycle units kay daan na kini ug dili pod safety ang driver ug pasahero. Masmaayo sad nga kami nga maga driver madumala sa isa ka cooperatiba kay mashapsay ang amo mga transaksyon,” Plaza said.
(I understand why we need to change our tricycle units because they are old and the units are not safe for drivers and passengers. It’s also better that we will be managed by a cooperative as it is more orderly in our transactions.)
“Kadaghanan sa amoa dili man ka-afford ug palit ug cash nga brand new (since most of us cannot afford to pay in cash for a brand new unit), we just want the local government to help us transition smoothly in this tricycle modernization program and will not leave us behind,” he added.
Maria Kristina E. Cassion, head of the CTTMD, thanked the transport partners for their commitment to support the program, stating, “We acknowledge the integral role of the tricycles in the transportation system as the first and last mile for commuters.”
Butuan
City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada said, “The tricycle modernization program
will not remove the livelihood and income of the drivers; rather, this program
will improve their lives and the services that we give to the public.”
As the first in the country, the TRIsakay will propel and deliver its long-term goal of supporting a smart Butuan City and achieve zero-emissions by the year 2050. (RLE/PIA-Caraga)
