By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Tricycle drivers affected by the free ride program of the national government will be receiving assistance from the Roxas City government.
Aside from the 10 kilos of rice, additional financial assistance and even loans will be given to members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) here.
TODA complained that the “Libre Sakay Program” of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the COVID-19 pandemic affected their income.
Earlier, a group of tricycle drivers here sought the help of Mayor Ronnie Dadivas to find solutions to the free ride offered by minibuses which they claimed affected their livelihood.
The mayor told the tricycle drivers that they will be the priority in extending free rice distribution. He said that passenger tricycles can pick up three passengers at the same time to augment their income.
The free rides ply the routes of Dumulog, Culasi, Baybay, Libas, Barra and other place to Roxas City Integrated Transport Terminal.
Ten minibuses started offering free rides on April 19, 2021.
The free ride is a mandatory scheme under the Service Contracting Program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The free ride will run for two months until June 30, 2021.
