Some passengers, who are mainly relying on three-wheeled transportation here, expressed dismay on tricycle drivers practice of over-charging of fare rates.

Most of those interviewed said they were charged of the old fare rates, saying that drivers demanded higher rates than the prescribed ones.

When asked if they report such overcharging, they said, it would be taxing on their part. Some said they have no time for it.

City officials urged victims of overcharging to immediately report to the authorities concerned. Cases of overcharging report have been documented but some of those (cases) ended up in amicable settlement.

 Earlier, City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II has warned tricycle drivers/operators for overcharging or failure to charge the exact news fare rates imposed here for they’ll be punished if found guilty.

The mayor issued the statement during his weekly radio program, “Meet The Mayor” broadcast over two stations here as complaints of overcharging fare rates beyond what is allowed by law are mounting.

Mayor Yap also urged passengers to report to his office drivers who remain hesitant to collect new fare rates imposed by city government.

He said that he won’t tolerate the overcharging in his turf.

 Recently, some tricycle and public utility jeep (PUJ) drivers said they are still resisting the order to charge their passengers with new fare rates.

A tricycle driver, who only have driving as his main source of income, said in interview but declined to be named that he can hardly make both ends meet. How come the government becoming so insensitive that it caused the reduction of the minimum fare of tricycle fare in this city.

What can they earn from only seven pesos considering that even the petroleum prices have dropped but the prices of other basic commodities and spare parts are skyrocketing, he lamented. There are also a lot of tricycles plying everyday to earn.

He said that some of his colleagues are still charging the old rates to their passengers, adding that there still are unscrupulous drivers who are still charging more than the minimum especially from the pier to city square or from here to satellite market and bus terminal.

In separate interview, a PUJ driver who is also working hard for the money to support his family, said that what is happening to transportation industry. He said the reduction of fare rates for PUJs badly affect their daily income since most of them do not owned the unit they’re driving.

He also said that expensive spare parts and basic commodities sold in the stores remain unchecked. Why won’t the government intervene to make these prices of spare parts also reduced, he added.

Recently, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the petition for lowering the minimum fare of PUJs from P7.00 down to P6.50 /passenger in Central Visayas. It took effect February 8, 2016, report said.

Some quarters asked does it need for a public hearing since what they know is that there’ll be public hearing when increasing of fare rates. (rvo)