The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has decided to defer the strict implementation the ban on e-trike and other light electric vehicle along the major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Instead of the supposed P2,500 fine or impounding of e-trikes and light e-vehicles, MMDA chairman Don Artes said their enforcers were instructed to just warn the violators until Tuesday, April 16.
“This is part of the information drive and in consideration of the two-day transport strike. We will not issue tickets and instead, just warn the violators,” said Artes in a press briefing on Monday, April 15.
“But starting Wednesday (April 17), we will already issue tickets. But this early, we are advising riders of e-trikes, e-bikes and other light e-vehicles to start following the regulation that they should not be travelling along major thoroughfares,” he added.
The implementation of the ban in at least 20 major roads in NCR was based on the resolution approved by the Metro Manila Council, which is composed of all Metro Manila mayors, in a bid to ensure safety of the e-vehicle riders amid rising number of road accidents involving them, and as part of the traffic management in the metropolis.
The start of the was supposed to be on Monday, April 15, but the ongoing transport strike prompted the MMDA to delay the strict implementation.
Some considerations
Artes said e-trikes and e-bikes that need to cross the major thoroughfares identified as off-limits to them will not be apprehended.
The same policy, he said, covers brief travel along the identified major thoroughfares, especially if the brief travel is necessary to go to the roads where they are not banned.
Artes said the policy is in coordination with the local government units in Metro Manila, especially that some of the LGUs include e-trikes as part of their livelihood program to their respective constituents.
He added that pedal-assisted bicycles can also use the designated bike lanes.
No special operations
Artes also clarified that the MMDA will not conduct special operations against erring riders of e-trikes and e-bikes.
“There will be no special operations, just a normal deployment of our personnel,” said Artes.
“But if our personnel saw them violating the ban, then they would certainly be apprehended,” he added.
The MMDA regulation stated that the e-trikes and e-bikes will be impounded if they are not registered and if the rider has no driver’s license.
If the rider has any of the two, they will just be issued with citation tickets.