Manila Says Goodbye To Trikes and Pedicabs, Hello to E-Trikes

Photo: Official Website of the City Government of Manila

Manila Mayor Joseph E. Estrada rides a new E-trike. The mayor is testing E-trike for use in various offices and events in the city.

The city of Manila recently made a momentous announcement when Mayor Joseph Estrada declared that there will no longer be tricycles, pedicabs and even those noisy “kuligligs” that will be plying any route in the city starting October 15. Estrada also announced that the city will adopt green transport and will make use of electric trikes or e-trikes that run solely on electricity.

As reported in the Philippine Star, the mayor cited that there are over 25,000 illegal trikes and pedicabs that operate within the city, especially in the smaller side streets that are not accessible to public utility jeepneys. The city government has initially earmarked PhP 120 million to purchase 10,000 units of the e-trikes which it will make available to those who are likely to lose their source of income once the ban is enforced. Drivers will pay the city a daily boundary of PhP 150 to 200 for the next four years for the e-trike unit.

E-trikes in Binondo, University Belt and Port Area

Each e-trike will be able to accommodate seven passengers and on a full charge, can run up to 80 kilometers. Binondo is the designated pilot area and according to Coconuts Manila, the city government will set up two charging stations where drivers can charge their trikes for free. Designated pick up stations will also be put up where passengers can access trike rides. After Binondo, the city government also plans to expand service to the University Belt and the Port Area, among others.

Green Transport in Metro Manila

Green transport is a current trend in Metro Manila cities, with funding support from multilateral agencies such as the Asian Development Bank. E-trikes are also a welcome replacement to the gas-run tricycles that contribute to daily pollution and the pedicabs who pose a threat to public safety because of their ignorance of traffic rules.