BORACAY – There appears to be not enough public transportation to accommodate returning tourists here.
Tourist arrivals now average 2,000 daily – 30 percent of the allowed tourism carrying capacity.
But the high demand for public transport after the reopening of Boracay to fully vaccinated, partially and unvaccinated tourists and the easing of restrictions is a major concern.
Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Dante Pagsuguiron said there is a shortage in electric tricycles (e-trikes) plying the routes Cagban and Tambisaan ports to Balabag and Yapak, and vice versa.
“Ang mga turista pagdating sa port ay naghihintay dahil walang masakyang e-trikes,” he observed.
E-trike operators were recently summoned by the SB to address complaints on rentals, franchise, transport fare and e-trike boundary.
“May mga drivers tayong namimili ng pasahero, at priority nila ang mga turista. Nauubos din ang mga e-trikes sa Cagban port dahil na rin sa dami ng turista,” said Pagsuguiron.
He also reminded the transport cooperative, drivers and operators of e-trikes of the stiffer penalties for refusing or choosing passengers.
Most of the complaints they received came from local residents who were turned away by e-trike drivers.
The allowable capacity for e-trikes is six passengers with a minimum fare of P15.
Pagsuguiron said e-trike drivers should not refuse passengers. He also encouraged operators to check the occupational permits of their e-trike drivers before they are allowed to operate a public transport.
Moreover, e-trike companies have to set up two charging stations also in barangays Manocmanoc and Balabag or Yapak./PN
