Public transport business opens

Seeing the need for public transportation on island, 32-year-old Melvin Pangelinan and a bunch of his friends brainstormed and came up with a plan: Why not start a public transport system—a taxi-like business but without the meter or the high fare associated with it?

After doing market research, Pangelinan’s group decided to go for it, convinced that there is a significant number of people who need such a service: the manamkos, housewives, individuals without cars, people in a hurry, and so on.

The company is named Tropical Island Transportation Services, a 24-hour transport service that charges a fixed amount of $3 to $10.

“We want it to be affordable. Our business is public transportation in a private way,” said Pangelinan, who serves as operations manager of the company.

Tropical Island Transportation began operations yesterday.

He said their fare is lower compared to regular taxis. Even against underground taxi operators, which charge $4 or $5 to $15 per trip, Tropical Island Transportation still offers competitive rates.

“We did our market research. We know how others are operating, how much they are charging. Our rates are much better,” said Pangelinan.

For instance, an “underground” taxi, which he said has thrived and prospered on island, charges $15 from downtown Garapan to the mountainous Kagman area.

“We are charging a maximum rate of $10, nothing more. We feel that anything beyond $10 is unreasonable,” said Pangelinan.

For regular taxicabs, the fare from Garapan to Kagman may reach $35.

A regular taxi reportedly charges a $2.50 flag down rate and 75 cents per mile.

Based on the fixed rate offered by Tropical Island Transportation, the charge per mile totals 25 cents.

Growing up in transport business

Pangelinan said the business is not a new to him. His father, the late Jesus Pangelinan, was one of the founding members of the Saipan Radio Cab in the 1960s.

“I was raised around the taxicabs,” he said.

His father’s business, which he has been managing for eight years now, caters to hotel guests.

He also worked at the Technical Services Division of the Department of Public Works for two years.

“I’ve gained my experience from my Dad and my stint at DPW,” he said.

Nine Echos

Pangelinan said his new business has a fleet of nine sedans, all Toyota Echo, to transport passengers. He said these cars have the Tropical Island Transportation logo for easy recognition.

“It’s very identifiable,” he said.

He said passengers on the road can flag down the cabs, or they can call, text, or radio for service.

He said that Tropical Island Transportation will not be competing with hotel taxis or commercial taxis.

“We are not parking in hotels. We are not intruding. Our drivers will roam the roads. We want our costumers to call us. We won’t ask or solicit people to ride with us. We want to be different,” said Pangelinan.

Fully insured, licensed

Unlike the underground taxis, Tropical Island Transportation cars are fully insured and licensed to operate on Saipan.

“We file our taxes. We are insured. This is very important because it gives our passengers or employers peace of mind,” he said.

Pangelinan said he and his business associates are confident about the prospects of their business “because we are responding to a need.”

“There’s a need for this kind of service. We are doing it based on the rules. And we treat it as a public service,” he said.

He said Tropical Island Transportation cars are 2003 models, fully air-conditioned, and driven by resident drivers.

“We guarantee quality service. Our service is personalized. We can bring you door to door, fare to fare,” he said.

He said customers can call or text 285-8487 or radio 6*83442 for service.

The company can also be reached at email: mel_talu@yahoo.com.