Before the “grab-a-trike” system can even take off, another company is planning to invest in a mass transport system in Dumaguete City.
The managing director of Star 8 Corporation, which operates solar-powered passenger vehicles in different parts of the country, met with Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo last week to broach the idea.
The plan calls for the initial deployment of 20 units of the 20-seater solar-powered vehicles that requires franchises from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) but also needs authority from the city council.
The electric vehicle has gadgets on board to include a television set, mini fans, video to aid drivers for front and backward maneuvers, use of cards for fares and a global position system.
The mayor believes the mass transport system will eventually help decongest traffic in the city, that instead of driving private cars, people will now ride on solar-powered vehicles.
Remollo said all it needs is a no-objection resolution from the city because it has franchises issued by LTFRB.
During the meeting, the mayor advised the company to immediately conduct a feasibility study to include the fare requirement for it to start the process and even suggested to establish their factory in Dumaguete, to complement the present assembly area in Subic.
Bong Laurel, the manager of Star 8 Corporation, said their units can travel up to 60 kilometers per hour, and a fully charged battery can run up to 150 kilometers.
The company is operating solar electric vehicles in Boracay with more than 100 units, Lapu-lapu city and to launch the technology in Panglao, Bohol with 20; Lipa city with 15, Sucat with 33; Muntinlupa in Laspinas, Makati and Mandaluyong.
Laurel stressed this will not compete with the tricycles in Dumaguete City because it has its own route, specifically around the city’s boundaries like in the Bajumpandan-Cantil-e road, among others. This will complement instead the present trike system because one unit needs two drivers on an 8-hour shift a day, the drivers are salaried with memberships in the SSS, Pag-ibig, Philhealth and other benefits to include incentives to drivers with no record of accidents, complaints and absence.
The president of a jeepney association plying the route Dumaguete to Sibulan and vice versa is amenable to the idea for as long as it will not compete with their route .
Carlito Ingan of JODAI said the group supports the modernization of jeepneys but the members are hesitant because of the cost per unit.
The president of the Transport and Multi-Livelihood Association Eugene Villana is also willing to adopt the new technology without fear of displacement among tricycle drivers because it will be following a circumferential route. (Juancho Gallarde)
