THE Dagupan City Federated Tricycle Driver and Operators Association (TODA) is now pushing for a P25 increase in minimum tricycle fare, from the current P20.

The TODA filed its petition at the Dagupan Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), justifying the city’s traffic conditions and current price of gasoline being the main reasons for the increase.

It could be recalled that six years ago, on 2017, the P20 minimum fare was approved. However, with the years passing by, the price of gasoline has increased substantially, along with the number of tricycle drivers plying the city’s routes.

Jessie Galvan, president of the Tricycle Alliance of Dagupan City, said the petition has been continuously refiled at the POSO, ever since the previous administration. No progress has been made.

In a radio interview, Galvan said that earlier versions of said petition were filed even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Kailangan nang maitaas ang minimum na pamasahe kasi halos wala nang naiuuwi ang mga tricycle drivers natin, makatulong man lang nang kaunti yung taas singil”, he said.

A survey by the PUNCH conducted through random interview with Dagupan City tricycle drivers reveals that the typical tricycle driver only makes an average of P800 daily. This includes the ‘boundary’ for the day, which goes to the operator as his cut. Expenses for gasoline is not yet deducted.

The daily profit fluctuates, especially since the city’s main thoroughfares are still under construction.

POSO Chief Arvin Decano, while sympathizing with the aggrieved tricycle drivers, said the petition will be studied and taken into consideration.

The petition has been filed to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dagupan.

Tricycle drivers in Dagupan City are notorious for complaints of overcharging. Low minimum fares may be seen as the culprit why some tricycle drivers resort to charging commuters more than the usual minimum fare. (Ahikam Pasion)

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