QUEZON CITY — Not far from expectations, three major realities happened on Monday, May 18 when the government eased the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in many parts of the country. One is the long line of stranded passengers on the streets—mostly workers in allowed lines of business and industry; the second is the closing of some malls for disobeying the physical-distancing requirement of the quarantine guidelines; and, third, the implementation of new oil price hike in most gas stations.
But there is another reality in Quezon City. Starting May 16, passengers of tricycle, pedicabs, and e-trikes have to pay Php 18.00 for the first kilometer of the “Special Trip” and additional Php 1.00 for every succeeding kilometer, thereafter. The 20 percent fare discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities will still apply under the new guidelines.
This was disclosed by Alberto Kimpo, Assistant Administrator of Quezon City during a live radio-TV interview, Monday. He also said that a new set of guidelines was furnished to the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA), Pedicab Operators and Drivers Association (PODA), and Electric Tricycle (E-Trikes) in Quezon City on May 16 while the city is under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
He said the guidelines followed the safety protocols and guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease in relation to transportation. “Susundin namin yong 50% lang ang tatakbo sa rota, isa lang ang pasahero, may takip na plastic ang drayber at pasahero, may face mask, at social distancing,” he said.
He also said that drivers will undergo a medical checkup at the barangay health center before they can operate their units to ensure that they can’t infect their passengers. They are also required to post their new Fare Matrix at the terminal and in their respective units.
