At least 21 drivers were apprehended in Mandaue City’s crackdown on tricycles with fake franchises.
Thirteen drivers were apprehended for driving with no franchise, while eight presented franchises bearing facsimile signature of the issuing City Hall official.
For the past 10 days, the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) has been checking the franchises of tricycles plying routes in the city.
The agency started running after fake franchises last Oct. 16 after the period for renewal of franchises ended in September.
Tricycle drivers were asked to present business permits and other documents during the inspection.
The drivers who failed to present papers were issued a Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP).
The 13 apprehended drivers must pay P6,000 to the Land Transportation Office so they can retrieve their driver’s license.
The eight drivers were issued citation tickets and must pay a fine of P500 at the city treasurer’s office.
The driver must process the fines or charges will be filed against them.
The city is also monitoring tricycles that are plying outside their route.
Based on a city ordinance, Mandaue City will only issue 2,000 franchises to tricycles to avoid overcrowding.
Currently, only 852 units were given business plates out of at least 6,000 tricycles plying in the city.