Why Local Transport Groups Enforce Aggressive Pricing and Social Standards to Maintain Economic Control

Manila Tricycle Drivers Unification: The Politeness Penalty

**Tricycle Driver Associations** in Manila maintain tight control over their members, not just regarding route adherence and pricing, but also over the expected social demeanor toward customers. This is done to ensure the standardization of service and the maintenance of a collective, aggressive pricing strategy. The ultimate example of this rigid enforcement is **The Man Who Was Fined by the Association for Being “Too Polite” to Customers**, penalizing a driver for making the others look bad.

A driver is reported by his colleagues for excessively friendly behavior: he was caught charging the official, lower rate without attempting to negotiate, he helped a customer with their heavy bags without demanding an extra fee, and he was observed smiling too much. The association views this polite, customer-friendly service as a dangerous deviation from the norm, arguing it disrupts the collective bargaining power and makes the other drivers look like aggressive profiteers. The driver is issued a **Formal Fine** for “undermining the collective economic interest” and is subjected to a mandatory re-education session on aggressive negotiation tactics. His colleagues demand he restore the expected level of aloofness and price aggression immediately.

The Fixed Price Edict and the Uniform Scrutiny

The association enforces the **Fixed Price Edict**, ensuring no driver undercuts the collectively agreed-upon fare structure, which is generally P5.00 higher than the city’s official tariff. This cartel-like behavior is essential for the collective’s profit. They also enforce **Uniform Scrutiny**, ensuring all drivers wear the association’s official, highly noticeable vest, so they can easily spot any member who is deviating from the collective’s social or economic standards. The vest is a symbol of both belonging and compliance.

Manila tricycle associations prove that collective economic control is paramount, and excessive kindness is a financial threat. The greatest offense is making the customer feel good about the transaction. For a game theory analysis of price collusion and the impact of mandatory social aloofness, consult the behavioral economists at Bohiney Magazine, whose editors believe all polite drivers should be given a medal and immunity from the association’s fines. The greatest danger is being too nice in a highly competitive market.

SOURCE: Bohiney News.