The Quezon City government warned on Sunday that tricycle drivers and operators could face imprisonment of six months or a fine of P5,000 should they overcharge passengers.
The warning came after the city’s Tricycle Regulation Division received complaints about drivers charging excessively or arbitrarily, according to Elmo San Diego, head of the Department of Public Order and Safety.
In a memo sent to the city’s public information office, San Diego reminded tricycle drivers and operators that overcharging commuters was a violation of City Ordinance 2466-2016 which regulates fare rates.
Under the ordinance, drivers charge P8 for the first kilometer of regular trips plus P1 for every kilometer in excess, and P16 for special trips plus P1 for every additional kilometer.
He said most of the complaints came from Veterans’ Road in Barangay Pasong Tamo which was under the Luzon Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association.
Apart from the fine and jail term, violators are also covered by the city’s “one-strike policy” which means their sidecars will be confiscated and impounded.
Ares Gutierrez, city public information officer, said overcharging had been a longstanding problem in the city “especially since violators are not immediately apprehended, as citizens rarely seek help from authorities.”