- Number of impounded e-trikes balloons in Q1 – CTTMO
THE NUMBER of impounded electric tricycles or e-trikes in the first quarter of this year nearly reached the total for the entire 2023, an official from the City Transport and Traffic Management Office reported.
Almost three months past 2024, CTTMO recorded a total of 126 towed e-trikes, close to the 2023 data of 189.
There were 15 impounded in January, 22 in February, and 89 as of March 14 data.
CTTMO head Dionisio Abude said the increase can be attributed to the complacent use of e-trikes on national and city roads.
“They normally operate as taxi-like that sends their passengers to any point in the city,” Abude said during the iSpeak media forum on March 14.
The official said the impounded e-trikes casually operate in Bucana, Boulevard, and Magsaysay Street. Unfortunately, he said, these units only add to the already congested traffic in the city.
A special clearing team was created under the office to crack down on unit operators traversing the national roads from which these units are banned.
CTTMO initially proposed to the city council a total ban on these units and to create legislation to regulate these given there is no regulating body at present.
However, Abude said they are looking into classifying the e-trikes under the trisikad or the pedal-operated units of the city’s traffic code unless they are converted into a closed cab. Otherwise, they will face penalties as determined by the existing or a new ordinance.
Abude said the proposal to the city council was already referred to the Committee on Transportation and Communications, however as of March 14, the committee is yet to request the CTTMO to attend a hearing.
