By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, Oct. 8 (PNA) — Electric tricycles (e-trikes) will be seen in Makati soon as The Makati city government plans to replace at least 5,000 old tricycles in the city with new eco-friendly electric tricycles (e-trikes).
Makati Acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Global Mobility Service Philippines Inc. (GMS) president Tokushi Nakashima and Alberto Galisim, president of Makati’s Tricycle Operator Drivers Association (TODA-Makati) to promote cleaner air in the city.
The MOU obligates the parties to lessen air pollution and carbon emissions through the use of cloud technology and electric or environment-friendly tricycles.
Peña said that through the partnership with the private and transport sectors, Makati would be able to improve its environment and air quality.
“The city government believes that the private sector could contribute much in the implementation of worthwhile programs and projects, and this MOU would bring Makati a step higher in its advocacy in improving the quality of air in the city and implementing the Clean Air Act,” Peña said.
“I am really proud that through this partnership, Makati would be the first local government in the country to have transport vehicles monitored through Global Positioning System,” he said adding with each vehicle equipped with the advanced Mobility-Cloud Connecting System that includes the GPS, the vehicles would be safer to drive and ride,” he said.
Under the MOU, GMS will finance the acquisition of tricycles by operators and/or drivers at a very low down payment and minimal daily amortization for three years.
Twenty units have already been released to the operators and drivers, with 240 more in the coming months.
The city government and TODA-Makati will ensure that only qualified operators and drivers would be able to avail of the units, who must be of good standing in the transport community.
The operators and/or drivers could choose an electric vehicle or a 4-stroke engine tricycle which will be equipped with advanced transportation systems and technology that could be used in pollution reduction, enforcement of traffic regulations and easing of traffic congestion.
Through this initiative, the parties aim for the reduction of conventional types of vehicles that contribute to air and noise pollution, while promoting care for the environment, profitability, efficient transportation and latest transport technologies.
Asked when the e-trikes are expected to be seen in Makati, Peña said there was no date yet since they were still convincing some tricycle drivers.
Aside from reducing pollution in the city, Peña also said the e-trikes would help curb illegal or colorum operations in Makati.
The Japanese firm Global Mobility Service (GMS) introduced a control system for electric tricycles called the mobile cloud connecting system (MCCS).
The MCCS, which is equipped with a global positioning system (GPS), enables tricycle drivers to monitor the location of their vehicles. With this technology, tricycle drivers can also activate and control the electric tricycles remotely. (PNA)