Manila council OKs fare matrix for 3-wheeled vehicles

MANILA, Philippines — Tricycles, pedicabs and electric bicycles or e-bikes in Manila might soon follow a fare matrix and be punished for overcharging commuters, according to a proposed bill ratified by the city council.

City councilors approved on third and final reading the draft ordinance “setting a standard fare matrix of tri-wheeled vehicles operating within the territorial jurisdiction of the city of Manila” authored by District 1 Councilor Jesus Fajardo Jr.

The city council has yet to release an official copy of the ordinance to be signed by Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan.

Under Fajardo’s draft Ordinance 8391, each passenger should pay a base fare of P16 and P5 more for every succeeding 500 meters, according to an earlier statement from the city council.

The bill would also seek to “regulate all tri-wheeled service providers and penalize abusive drivers who overcharge their passengers,” it added.