Cebu Transportations: Tricycle

Tricycles are actually not the same things that you think back when you were a kid. I'm talking about one of Cebu's transportations into its suburban areas, especially in the provinces which are yet to be developed full-time. Anyway, the Cebuano tricycle is actually a motorcycle installed with a side-car on its right side. It is designed to carry its capacity of passengers from a certain destination then board the jeepneys afterward. Its installation of its side-car on the right side is distinctive enough to become one of Asia's unique ways of transportation, in line with Thailand's tuk-tuk and Indonesia's becak.

The ride

Unlike the usual ride in a car, I find it a bit of adventurous when I ride the tricycle, especially when I chance upon the opportunity to ride behind the driver. The side-car can contain 4 people, while the driver's seat can actually fit in 3-4 people. That's some risky move but it's a way different (and if you're into the “squeezing” part, it's indeed way different this time). This is usually the case when tricycles are not that popular to some places. The drivers will have to let the passengers' luggages to fill in the back portion and at the same time let nine people dangle above. Now that's a risk, but in Cebu, that's not usually the case. There are certain regulations and laws that needs to be tasked upon to ensure the safety as well as the traffic relief that could impale the streets of Cebu.

If Cebu's public transportation system is compared to a flower, the barrage of tricycles are actually the stem of the flower. A 5 peso fare can simply get you there. They are the main feeder when it comes to transporting the passengers in both mornings and evenings. You can actually spot them in certain areas or roads, forming a long line near the intersections and major highways. Compared to jeepneys – and could also be budget restrictions – these tricycles drivers are often dedicated to their type of work and is highlighted by their elaborate decorations consisting of slogans, several designs as well as the names of their wives and children.

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