Some residents of Barangay Talibaew in Calasiao, Pangasinan are complaining about unusually high tricycle fares, with senior citizens being charged up to triple the regular rate.

“Ang problema namin dito, ‘yong pasahe namin doble. 'Pag nag-iisa ka, triple. Ayaw nila ng P30,” Aurora Aquino, a senior citizen, said.

She said she was being charged P50, and added that the primary reason was the rough road they have to take due to an ongoing bridge construction.

However, not all tricycle drivers agree with the overcharging.

“P20 lang dapat. Talagang P20 lang singil namin mula bayan hanggang dito. ‘Yong ibang tricycle, ‘yong hindi taga-Talibaew, ang naniningil ng P40,” Roger Sagun, a tricycle driver, said.

According to the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), the regular fare is P20, with discounts for students and senior citizens.

“Sa mga estudyante, ang alam ko doon mga P12 to P15, sa senior ganoon din. Kung puwede, sakay na lang sila ng mga ka-barangay nila sa may TODA, para automatic pamasahe nila doon. Alam ng ka-barangay kung ilan ang sisingilin sa kanila,” POSO Supervisor Jessie Laforteza said.

Authorities encourage commuters to take note of the decal number of the tricycle and report violations so that proper action can be taken, including the issuance of citation tickets to drivers who overcharge.