Mandaue City moves to regulate, franchise e-tricycles

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — A proposed ordinance that would authorize the Mandaue City Government to regulate and grant franchises to qualified electric tricycle operators has passed on first reading before the City Council, opening the door for the voluntary adoption of e-tricycles.

The proposed ordinance, authored by City Councilor Carlo Fortuna, seeks to establish the guidelines for regulating electric tricycles in the city. Fortuna said the measure is intended to support operators who voluntarily want to shift to electric units, emphasizing that the transition will not be mandatory.

He added that several cities in the country, particularly in Metro Manila, have already adopted e-tricycles as part of their public transportation system.

READ: Mandaue eyes e-trikes as fuel costs hit drivers

He clarified that only e-tricycles classified as L3 and L4 by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be allowed under the proposed ordinance. These are larger units designed to accommodate four to five passengers and meet the standards for public utility vehicles.

Smaller e-bikes, including those previously impounded for using unauthorized roads, are not covered by the measure.

The proposed ordinance will be open to both existing franchise holders who wish to shift to electric units and new applicants, provided they fall within the city’s authorized tricycle quota. Drivers must also possess a valid driver’s license.

“So, katung ganahan mo-shift sa electric tricycle, kining ordinansa atoang authority nga gihatag nila,” said Fortuna.

(So, for those who want to shift to electric tricycles, this ordinance gives us the authority to allow it.)

Fortuna said operators will still be required to secure their franchise and registration through the Mandaue Tricycle Franchising Board and the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), while existing route regulations will remain in effect.

He said he also recommended the establishment of charging stations at designated tricycle terminals through partnerships with private entities or other government agencies. He added that the city has requested the TEAM and the City Planning and Development Office to identify possible locations for the facilities.

Fortuna said electric tricycles offer both environmental and economic benefits, as they are more environmentally friendly and have lower operating costs than fuel-powered units.

READ: Mandaue still bans e-bikes from city’s major roads

He said charging an e-tricycle is significantly cheaper than refueling with gasoline, allowing operators to reduce expenses while maintaining nearly the same passenger fares.

Meanwhile, tricycle driver Dionisio Esdaño said he prefers to continue using his traditional tricycle because he already owns the unit. He said the only expense he has to worry about is fuel, unlike drivers who rent their tricycles.

“Ari nalang ko diri [traditional] bahala na og mahal gasolina kay akoa man ni [unit]… Kung mobalhin sa electric, mopalit ka, mahal.” said Esdaño.

(I’d rather stick with my traditional tricycle even if gasoline is expensive because I already own this unit. If you switch to an electric one, you’ll have to buy a new unit, and it’s expensive.)

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