Tricycle fare hike OK’d in Isabela city amid cut in fuel prices

SANTIAGO CITY, ISABELA - Amid a series of cuts in the prices of fuel, the request for fare hike by tricycle operators here has been approved by the city council. Regular passengers of this vehicle are also surprised why tricycle operators themselves — who earlier promised to reduce fares once there’s substantial drop in gas pump prices — are moving for the increase in transport costs. “There have been several price cuts in gasoline already, why are they still increasing the fares?" Zenaida Sagum, a resident of the city said. “If they want to bring home more earnings, they should stop their gambling activities, this I think is the real reason why most of them go home with empty pockets," said Sagum, referring to tricycle drivers who openly play cara y cruz (a Spanish-influenced coin game) at the city’s sidewalks while waiting for passengers. Meanwhile, leaders of a major transport group here claimed that the recent fuel price cuts were not enough to make them recover their income, as the decrease failed to match the previous increase, which was implemented at least 20 times by oil firms. “If oil companies can roll back prices at P40 a liter again then there’s no reason why we won’t comply with a decent fare cut," said Mel Jacob, president of the Santiago City-based transport group. In Nueva Vizcaya province, despite fresh fuel price cuts, increased tricycle fares have also been seen implemented in the town of Bayombong starting Friday afternoon. - GMANews.TV