By Alexandria Dennise San Juan Amid recent fare increases on passenger jeepneys and buses, commuters in Quezon City will also be facing higher tricycle rates after the local government approved an ordinance on new tricycle fares. (MANILA BULLETIN) Based on the newly-passed City Ordinance 2575-2018, tricycle fare rates were raised from P8 to P9 per person for regular trips, and from P16 to P18 for special trips. The QC government has also approved an additional P1 for every kilometer for both regular and special trips. Meanwhile, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students are still entitled with a 20% fare discount. "Senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and students who enjoy a 20 percent discount rate will be charged P7.20 every regular trip, plus fifty centavos for every kilometer thereafter in regular trips. They will be charged P14.40 for the first kilometer plus fifty centavos for every kilometer thereafter in special trips," the order stated. The ordinance, which was introduced by Councilor Oliviere Belmonte, has been given the go-signal by the local government in response to fluctuations in fuel prices. Aside from higher fuel prices, the ordinance cites the excise tax imposed on gasoline under Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law for the increase. "Seven years had passed and despite the increase in fuel commodities since 2011, particularly in December 2016 when the average price for gasoline was listed at P46.30 based on the Department of Energy Oil Monitor, and the swelling demand for its services, fare in tricycles for hire have not been increased," the ordinance explains. According to the city government, the last tricycle fare rollback was in 2016 under Ordinance 2466-2016 that set the minimum fare at P8 for regular trips and P16 for special trips. The local government warned tricycle drivers who will violate the new fare policies that they will be fined P5,000 or/and imprisonment by six months.