Private motor vehicle owners on Wednesday challenged the Land Transportation Office to strictly implement a law banning public utility tricycles from using major roads.
Roberto Cruz, spokesman of the Private Motorist Alliance Coalition (PMAC), issued the challenge because of the the increasing number of tricycles using the major thoroughfares.
“Passenger tricycles have no right to use the main roads. They are only allowed inside the secondary streets,” said Cruz.
Cruz said tricycles do not only add to the traffic congestion but also serve as traffic hazard. He noted that most tricycle drivers are “reckless” and do not follow traffic rules.
Cruz said tricycles using major roads have been increasing, especially in Metro Manila because of the failure of traffic agencies like the LTO, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the traffic division of local government units to do their jobs.
The PMAC spokesman cited the situation along Edsa near Timor Avenue where a group of tricycle drivers is allowed to use an area under the Timog flyover as their terminal.
“What is more amazing is that the area is only a few meters away from the MMDA emergency station where MMDA traffic enforcers are stationed. It is also less than a kilometer away from the LTO and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board along East Avenue,” Cruz complained.
Tricycle operations are under the authority of the local government units.