E-cars for new market

Four brand-new electric cars (e-cars) will be available for free rides to the new Mandaue City public market, when vendors move to the new facility two months from now.

Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes, who had the vehicles blessed yesterday,  said  the route is still up for discussion with traffic authorities but that the e-cars will definitely roam  the heart of the city and give free rides to people to and from the modern market in barangay Centro in the North Reclamation Area.

He said he anticipates some resistance from the vendors, which is a normal reaction to change and early fears that fewer customers will go there.  The new site is 500 meters away from the old market in the city center.

Cortes said vendors shouldn’t worry about the loss of customers because the city government would ensure the area is accessible and would look for ways to get tricycles and jeepneys to go there. Vendors are scheduled to transfer on  the first week of November.

Each e-car can carry 14 persons and run for  100 kilometers between charging. Cortes said they will set up  solar energy outlets to power the vehicles.  Each e-car costs P600,000.

Cortes said the traffic management board will also consider re-routing tricycles and jeepneys.

During peak hours, a truck ban may also be imposed to decongest traffic, he said.

Cortes said the new market  has better facilities and will have a  one-stop shop for pasalubong and souvenir items that  promote Mandaue City’s delicacies like bibingka or rice cakes for tourists. Reporter  Jucell Marie P. Cuyos and and Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza