THE CAMPUS Safety and Mobility Office (CSMO) and the Sanggunian have suggested a new tricycle fare matrix to address recent reports of overpricing, especially in relation to the Katipunan Avenue traffic scheme implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority last September 13, 2014.

According to Sanggunian Committee on Administrative Services (CAS) Chairperson Marc Duque, the two groups are currently working together with the Loyola Pansol Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) and the Loyola Heights TODA to create the new fare matrix.

The CSMO serves to develop programs aimed at campus safety and mobility for all Ateneo campuses while CAS aims to address all student concerns regarding transportation, traffic and basic services within the university.

Duque said that CAS met with the CSMO and the TODA representatives on November 27 to discuss student complaints on tricycle fare overpricing and to draft fare matrix that would be beneficial to both students and tricycle drivers.

He disclosed that the proposed tricycle fare matrix will have these destinations regularly priced as follows: Within the Ateneo campus at P20, Ateneo to Katipunan Ave. (and vice-versa) at P30, Ateneo or Katipunan Ave. to the Santa Maria della Strada Parish Church at P30, Ateneo or Katipunan Ave. to UP Town Center (Inside) at P40, Ateneo to Xavierville Phase 1 and 3 at P40, Ateneo to Xavierville Phase 2 at P35, Katipunan Ave. to Xavierville Phase 1 and 3 at P25, Katipunan Ave. to Xavierville Phase 2 at P20, Pansol to Ateneo at P35 and Ateneo to Daang Tubo at P30.

Katipunan Ave. refers to the stretch from the jeepney terminal under the Katipunan flyover to before UP Town Center.

Duque adds that students have a 20% discount on all destinations, which is also applicable to the current tricycle fare matrix.

Present in the meeting were Duque, CSMO Assistant Director Josephy Almosera, CSMO Director Marcelino Mendoza, Loyola Pansol TODA President Alex Baay, Loyola Pansol Secretary Arnel Cumaingking, Loyola Pansol TODA member Feliciano Gonzales, Loyola Heights TODA President Noah Blonnquera and Loyola Heights TODA Treasurer Fernando Contre.

According to both Duque and Mendoza, there will still be a few more meetings before the new tricycle fare matrix is finalized, but both are hoping that this can be implemented before the school year ends.

According to Almosera, the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Office for Student Activities are also included in the discussions for the proposed tricycle fare matrix.

Current fare

A memorandum released by the Sanggunian last December 3 states that fare overpricing is sometimes a result of the longer routes that tricycle drivers have to take.

“Complaints are coming from unwarranted increases of tricycle fares by the tricycle drivers, sometimes amounting to P50,” said Duque.

He said that tricycle drivers should still observe the current fare matrix while the proposed tricycle matrix is being finalized.

The current tricycle fare matrix is as follows: Within the Ateneo campus at P18, Katipunan Ave. to Ateneo (vice-versa) at P25, Ateneo to Pansol at P35, Ateneo to Xavierville Phase 1 and 2 at P30, Ateneo to Xavierville Phase 3 at P35 and Ateneo to Evangelista at P35.

Mendoza said that students are encouraged to report their complaints to the Sanggunian should there be fare violations by tricycle drivers.

Ongoing discussion

While the proposed tricycle fare matrix is still in discussion between the CSMO, CAS and the TODAs, Duque disclosed that the increase in tricycle fares is being met by some resistance from the Loyola Schools administration and the Sanggunian, as some factors in the price hike still need to be studied.

“[CAS] is trying to evaluate drop in gas prices and some discrepancies in the routes that the tricycle drivers will take,” said Duque.

He pointed out that routes such as KFC to Ateneo, which cuts across Katipunan Ave. to enter Gate 3, will take less time for the tricycle drivers given the new traffic scheme.

Moreover, Duque said that he wants to ensure that regulations will be followed by tricycle drivers once the new tricycle fare matrix is implemented, particularly the 20% discounts to be given to students

Should there be fare violations by the drivers, Duque said that there are corresponding penalties which will prohibit the tricycle driver from entering the university campus for one week up to three months depending on the rule broken.

The penalties are applicable to both the current and proposed tricycle fare matrix.

Duque said that the Sanggunian has already formulated plans for information dissemination once a new fare matrix has already been implemented.

According to him, they will first distribute print outs of the tricycle fare matrix for the drivers to display on their dashboards.

The Sanggunian will also give out identification tags displaying the new fares to students to be hooked on lanyards.

Duque said that this will help students become aware of the new tricycle fare matrix in case the printouts handed to the tricycle drivers are not displayed.

Additionally, the Sanggunian will create posters and infographics to be posted through the social media accounts of the Sanggunian to further inform students.

Duque said that they will also be focusing on informing the students better on the 20% discount entitled to them as not many are aware of this privilege.