Motorized tricycle (Philippines)

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This article is about the vehicle in the Philippines. For other uses, see Tricycle.
A motorized tricycle in Dumaguete City
Tricycles in Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Motor tricycles for hire lined up outside public market in downtown Bantayan, Cebu
With many passengers in Tagkawayan, Quezon


Motorized tricycles are a common means of passenger transport everywhere in the Philippines, except on busy major highways and very busy city streets, where they are used as public utility vehicles either plying a set route or for-hire. The Boracay Budget Travel website says of the motorized tricycle, "The tricycle is the most popular means of transport in small towns and cities, especially in the rural areas."[1]

Passenger Tricycles[edit]

Motorized tricycles are an indigenous form of the auto-rickshaw and built in a variety of styles which differ from city to city. All are built around an imported motorcycle. One variety has a cab completely enclosing the motorcycle and rider. These accommodate three to four passengers and goods can be placed on the roof. One passenger sits next to the driver and up to three passengers can be seated in two bench seats in a compartment behind the rider and front seat. These can be completely enclosed in plastic during rainy weather.

Another variety is a motorcycle-sidecar combination. Usually both the cycle and sidecar are covered, but not always by the same roof. Usually one or two passengers can ride behind the driver and two to six or more in the sidecar depending upon the design. Some tricycles can fit 9 passengers.[2]

Both kinds of tricycles are painted colorfully, as are jeepneys. During elections campaign posters usually plaster many of the tricycles. Tricycles sometimes are locally made, but larger companies, such as Fitcor Marketing, manufacture passenger tricycles.[3]

Passenger fares are cheaper than for taxis, yet more expensive than for jeepneys. Fares range from P6 to P250, depending on the locality and the distance to be ridden. Inside cities tricycles often operate as shared taxis, where passenger fares are calculated per passenger and after the distance travelled. These fares are close to the fares of jeepneys. For longer journeys or in areas with heavy tourism the driver will usually request that the passenger hire the whole tricycle and negotiate a "special fare", which will then be a private hire.[3]

Cargo Tricycles[edit]

Cargo tricycles are also used in the Philippines and elsewhere in Asia. Fitcor makes cargo tricycles for use domestically and for export. The cargo tricycle either has a bed in the back or on the side as a sidecar.[4]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Boracay Budget Travel website, http://www.boracay-budgettravel-tips.com/motorized-tricycles.html ; William C. Pollard, Jr., email to Lonely Planet, November 1, 2010, p. 2.
  2. ^ http://sorsogoncity.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/tricycles-in-sorsogon/ ; Tricycles in Sorsogon
  3. ^ a b Greg Bloom; Michael Grosberg; Virginia Jealous; Piers Kelly (May 2009). Philippines. Lonely Planet. p. p.450. ISBN 978-1741047219. 
  4. ^ Alibaba.com website.