Meanwhile, a leader of tricycle drivers in Dumaguete City is urging the City to do more studies on the proposal to establish a modernized tricycle booking service here.
Eddie Lazaro of ND Motor Piston and Negros Oriental Federation of Land Transportation Organizations (NOFeLaTO) pointed out the need for further study of the proposal, even while they are open to the idea of the City government experimenting with 100 units of the so-called Grab Trike Premium, and that an ordinance for its implementation has to undergo public hearing.
Lazaro’s statement came after an Italian company which has partnered with Grab, a company engaged in transportation booking service via a mobile phone application, presented its proposal to the City government early this week.
According to Lazaro, they also have to consider the future of the existing tricycle units once the booking service is operational.
He said the drivers were told that the single motorcycles can be used for “Grab Express” or “Grab Food” while the sidecars can be converted to scrap iron.
In an interview, incumbent Councilor and Vice Mayor-elect Alan Gel Cordova, who chairs the Committee on Transportation in the City Council, disclosed that the proposal to make use of technology is “worth a try” wherein commuters can simply book for a tricycle ride, or get semi-chartered service using an application in the cellphone.
As chairman as well of the Committee on Peace and Order, Cordova said the concept will also enhance the City’s security as all commuting activities can be recorded and reflected in the Grab system, that includes a personal profile and actual face of the driver.
Cordova added that the concept using technology to get a ride will also eliminate extra-dor (part-time drivers) and colorum (illegal) public transport.
A financing scheme is being addressed even as the City is toying with the idea of subsidizing 25 percent of the cost of the 100 units, which is about P4.5 million, while the supplier is to subsidize 5 percent. (Juancho Gallarde)
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