Hundreds of Manila trikes impounded

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso lauded continuing efforts by the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) for going after abusive tricycle drivers who overcharge or contract their passengers, instead of complying with the minimum fee set by the local government.

The mayor gave the commendation after the MTPB impounded daily more than a hundred pedicabs, tricycles and e-trikes.

While his heart bleeds in enforcing the law, he said the drivers should follow the rate the city imposed based on an approved city ordinance.

The mayor said he based his order on numerous complaints from the public about the exorbitant charges the erring drivers had been imposing on the riding public.

The minimum fare set by the city is P20. In his Facebook Live program “Capitol Report,” Domagoso mentioned the effort of MTPB director Dennis Viaje and his men for giving tooth to his order to apprehend abusive drivers.

He said he based his order on numerous complaints from the public about the exorbitant charges the erring drivers had been imposing on the riding public.

“Even if it pains me to do this, but we have a law. We all agreed in my office that I will allow you to operate with the promise to only charge P20. If you should exceed the minimum, it is just to add to the minimum. But it seems you have been fooling me that’s why we have reached this point. The government will not stop in going after you. I hope that you also take pity on your passengers especially in this time of the pandemic,” Domagoso explained.

In an interview with Viaje, it was learned that some of the violators not only charged excessively, but their vehicles had no plastic separators for physical distancing or the drivers were not wearing masks at all.

He urged the drivers to comply with the law, so that they are not faced with unnecessary delays in plying their vehicles.