DUMAGUETE CITY –- The local government of Dumaguete City has adopted a “Grab Trike system" of transportation around the city to allow tricycle drivers an additional income using the mobile app of Grab Philippines and provide a convenient and comfortable ride for commuters here.
Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo said that with Grab Trike, the riding public is protected from fare overpricing and both the drivers and passengers, including the unit, are covered by comprehensive insurance.
“Pedigrab or Grab Trike is voluntary, hence, those tricycles already operating in the city will not be phased out; instead, pedicab drivers or operators can convert their franchises into Grab Trike,” Remollo said.
Remollo said the city has no plan to abolish the pedicabs but national law will require it under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). The mayor said he already told the drivers last year that they need to prepare in case the law is implemented.
Dumaguete City has more than 2,000 pedicabs operating in 30 barangays. Initially, only 100 pedicab drivers are needed to enroll to Grab to start the operation. Remollo explained that under the PUVMP, tricycles will no longer be operating because the vehicles to operate require an engine that is Euro4 compliant.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recommended the Euro4 compliant fuel because this is the least pollutant among the fuels.
The entry of Grab Trike in the transportation business is inevitable due to the government’s call for its modernization. The system uses the smart cellphone to register the app that allows the user to see the fare rate, the photo of the driver, and his pedicab number.
A flag down rate of P30 plus P10 for the booking fee for a total of P40 and an additional payment of P5 for every kilometer assures the passenger of a guaranteed pick-up by the driver at the place where the passenger is located.
Overcharging is prevented because the rates are fixed even if there are two to three passengers. There is also a profit sharing or points system if you reach several trips a week. If you are a frequent user of the app, the passengers have additional perks and benefits, Remollo added.