The City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) clarified that e-trikes are still prohibited from operating on major roads.
CTTMO Head Dionisio Abude told reporters on Monday that there is still no local ordinance allowing e-trikes to accept passengers and ply national highways and major streets within the city.
“Ang e-trike man gud walay lisensya, wala pud marehistro, ginapasaherohan dili siya closed cab, so halos violation tanan. Meaning to say, akong sulti, liability gyud ni siya,” (E-trikes have no license and is not registered. It is used to carry passengers even though it does not have a closed cab, so almost everything is a violation. Meaning to say, what I’m saying is that this is really a liability), Abude said.
He explained that unlike motorcycles-for-hire (MTH), which comply with licensing and registration requirements, e-trikes do not meet these standards. He added that e-trikes also have an advantage because of their one- or two-seater capacity, making them a viable option for passengers who are in a hurry.
Abude said that if e-trikes are to be allowed in the future, they must fall under the “unconventional” category and should meet specific requirements, including having a closed cab.
“Kung tugutan na siya, sa unconventional, dapat closed cab, naay driver’s license ug iparehistro nila,” (If they will be allowed, they can fall under the unconventional category; they must have closed cabs, the driver should have a license, and it should be registered), he said.
Abude stressed that these measures are necessary to ensure passenger safety.
Meanwhile, Abude said impounding operations against e-trikes and sikad or payong-payong operating on major roads will continue. He said authorities primarily check for roadworthiness and registration compliance.
He emphasized that while e-trikes and sikad or payong-payong are not allowed to ply national highways and major roads, they may operate within residential areas or subdivisions. CIO
