The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has allowed e-tricycles to operate as a tourist transport service within city tourist zones.
LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2019-044 signed Sept. 3 said e-trikes are now included and classified as a tourist transport service30 “to promote new and more sustainable public transport solutions and to support the country’s flourishing tourist industry.”
According to the LTFRB, the inclusion of e-trikes as an alternative transport service among the array of existing transportation modes in the country’s tourist destinations will also help increase the mobility of tourists.
The agency has set guidelines for operators who may want to operate e-trikes as a tourist transport service.
Under the circular, tourist e-trike services can only run within their designated city government’s tourism area as defined by the Department of Tourism or Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.
Operators are also required to obtain endorsements from the agencies for franchise applications and must also comply with existing local laws, ordinances, and the traffic management plan of respective local government units.
The LTFRB reminded operators to only employ drivers duly licensed by the Land Transportation Office for tricycles-for-hire.
E-trikes are prohibited to operate on national highways where normal speed exceeds 40 kilometers per hour but the LTFRB said LGUs may provide exception if there are no alternative routes available.
The memorandum, signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III and board members members Ronaldo Corpuz and Antonio Gardiola Jr., took effect on Sept. 5. (Alexandria San Juan)