A Tagbilaran City Hall official said on Monday that if the city’s perennial traffic problem persists, officials could implement more drastic measures such as the enforcement of “color coding” for tricycles and the prohibition of the three-wheel public transport from traversing national highways.
According to Tagbilaran City Administrator Leonides “Edi” Borja, both measures are now being considered as the next possible solution to congestion along city streets if current remedies such as the implementation of a one-way loop system fails to address the issue.
Tricycles will be color-coded and “clustered” and will only be permitted to operate in barangays where they are designated, Borja said.
The scheme which would entail the enforcement of a national law that prohibits tricycles from passing through national highways is projected to ease congestion along key thoroughfares in the city such as CPG Avenue and JA Clarin.
“Imagina ug 3 mil ka tricycle ang mo-dung sa national highway, maghuot gyud unya maka-alibyo ni sa traffic kung mapatuman ang national law,” said Borja.
He noted that the system would clear main roads of the slew of tricycles in the city while still allowing tricycle drivers and operators to still conduct business and make a living.
Authorities had earlier pinpointed the growing number of private vehicles and tricycles as chief causes of congestion along the city’s streets.
According to Borja, there are around 3,000 tricycles operating in Tagbilaran City, and most of these are frequently found along main roads where they are likely to pick up passengers.
However, he noted that the measure is still in the initial phase of planning as the city’s efforts are concentrated on the implementation and improvement of the one-way loop system.
The traffic scheme so far has drawn mixed reactions from the public while authorities previously said that changes to the system are to be expected in the following weeks. (Allen Doydora)