Encountering tricycles outside Bacolod City

Driving to the gym the other day, encountered a slowmoving tricycle occupying the left lane along Circumferential Road in Barangay Bata. After it became apparent he was adamant about staying in the lane and not allowing any other vehicle to pass, lightly tapped the horn; perhaps, like many tricycle operators, he was not in the habit of using his rearview mirror, and failed to see the cars behind him. He responded by turning around with a scowl on his face and slowing down even more – a typical attitude exhibited by these individuals the media likes to portray as being worthy of public sympathy.

When an opportunity arose to sidle up beside him, rolled down the window, and asked why he refuses to allow other vehicles to pass since his tricycle is a slowmoving vehicle; he slowed down again, ensuring his vehicle was out of view from the passenger-side window, and then yelled something indiscernible in anger. Considering he expressed anger, responded in turn and requested he provide a clear explanation of his motivations, but he never responded and drifted back until he was out of sight.

It’s the typical scenario. Tricycles rolling slowly in the left lane, considered in most places to be the “fast lane.” Since they are constantly on the hunt for passengers, the same goes for jeepneys, they should stay in the right lane, or the “slow lane,” in order to accommodate for others who they share the road with. However, this “king of the road” mentality does not allow them to think that way, which leads to more aggravation among drivers and more hazards as they operate with fluctuating speeds and zig-zagging maneuvers.

The paradox comes in when these arrogant and conceited individuals are in front of a news crew, then they put on the pitiful faces, claiming they are only trying to earn a living – the attitudes shown on the ground are a far cry from the pathetic pleas made on television.

However, took a long drive down the island a few weekends ago and found most tricycle operators outside Bacolod City are very different. Of course, there are still many who carry on with that same selfimportance; ran into a similar situation just before entering Hinigaran, where a tricycle operator turned around with a scowl in response to a light tap on the horn – wonder what the response would be had it been a full blast.

For the most part, tricycle operators outside the city seem to have a grasp of the basics.

When a vehicle was behind then, they pulled over to let them pass; many use the right lane; and they wait for a sizable gap in vehicle traffic before merging into the road. None of that is ever practiced by tricycle operators in Bacolod City.

Drivers of private vehicle have enough on their mind trying to get through traffic and coordinate with other cars and motorcycles, but they also have tricycles (and trisicads) that drive against the flow of traffic, slow down traffic altogether without a care in the world, and swerve between lanes at will.

As with many of these columns about traffic problems in the city end, regardless of the administration in office, all of these issues continue to be tolerated.

One may complain nonstop – this column is often a vehicle for such venting – but, as long as elected officials continue to depend on jeepney and tricycle operators; informal settlers (squatters); and elites, many of which believe they are above the law, to garner votes, nothing will ever change; and, it is because of this ragtag voting bloc that nothing ever has to get done because, when time comes to vote again, local officials know they will always get their support as long as they continue to look the other way.

However, if that really is the only reason, why is it tricycle operators outside the “City of Smiles” seem to be more reasonable? Is it the culture of the city?/

WDJ