THE CITY Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) reiterated that bao-bao (tricycles) may still pass through routes serviced by the High Priority Bus System (HPBS).
However, Chona Advincula, CTTMO Motorized Vehicle Franchising and Regulatory Division (MVFRD) head, said that these tricycles must be registered and able to show their franchise to operate in the said routes.
Initially, the regulatory division has been accepting applications for CTTMO registration for motorized tricycles for hire (MTH), including bao-bao in 2019, but was later halted in September 2022 due to the influx of new operators.
Applications then reopened in October 2022 but are only limited to routes not in conflict with the Davao Bus Project (DBP).
“Ma bao-bao man o dili basta naay approved routes nga dili maagian sa bus, dawat mi ato [applications],” she said during the iSpeak media forum on Feb. 22.
However, tricycle operators complained that they might be disenfranchised by the modern transportation project.
“Daghang reklamo nga unsa na lang tong mga approved routes pero maagian sa bus, unsa nalang ang himoon sa mga namasahe ato, nga sige man og dakop, madakpan sila (We received complaints regarding the approved routes similar to the buses, they feared they might be apprehended),” she said.
Advincula added they have requested the board and the DBP to allow these to operate for the time being since the bus project has not materialized yet.
Advincula said the registered MTH operators should strictly adhere to their assigned routes to avoid receiving a citation ticket. The official urged operators to register their units and update their franchises. Failure to comply with registration within seven days will be subject to impoundment in Malagos, Calinan.
Some 2,915 MTH units were recorded since accepting registrations in 2019. However, only 2,320 units are valid and existing as of January 2024.
Councilor Conrado Baloran, committee on transportation and communications chair, earlier requested the franchising unit to open new routes for bao-bao operators in Calinan to decongest city streets during peak hours. However, Advincula reiterated national highways are still off-limits to tricycles.
