Parañaque City, Japanese firm push switch to e-trikes

A partnership among the Parañaque city government, a transport group and a Japanese firm is encouraging more tricycle operators to make the switch to eco-friendly, electronic models.

Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Federation of Parañaque Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association FPTODA President Marcelino Copia, and Global Mobility Service Philippines President Tokushi Nakashima signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday for the promotion of e-trikes in the city.

Under the MOU, the company will provide six-seater e-trikes that use mobility-cloud connecting system (MCCS), the same technology it offered under a similar partnership with Makati City in 2015.

Nakashima said MCCS comes with a global positioning system (GPS) device and antitheft capability, among other features.

The local government, meanwhile, will assist the FPTODA in the issuance of proper franchise permits and other documents to legally operate the e-trikes in Parañaque.

It would also set up charging stations at each tricycle terminal in the city, according to city information office chief Nick Ferrer.

With regards to financing, Nakashima explained that “at only P169 a day, tricycle drivers would be able to own an e-trike in three years. There is no downpayment and they only need to register.” —Dexter Cabalza