BLITAR – Blitar city government plans to expand its electric pedicab program. Officials want all traditional pedicab drivers in the city to eventually receive battery-powered rickshaws.

The program first focused on elderly drivers. Now, local authorities want wider coverage as part of efforts to modernize transportation and support low-income workers.

Blitar Deputy Mayor Elim Tyu Samba said officials continue collecting data on future recipients. The administration wants to make sure the next phase reaches the right drivers.

“Our goal is for all pedicab drivers to receive electric pedicabs,” Elim said on Tuesday. “That is why the registration and data collection process remains open.”

During the first phase, the city prioritized drivers older than 60 years old. Officials considered elderly drivers the most urgent group because many struggled with the physical demands of manual pedaling.

However, the city government now hopes to expand the assistance program to younger drivers. Many still rely on conventional pedicabs for their daily income.

“In the first stage, we focused on elderly drivers,” Elim said. “Moving forward, we hope every pedicab driver in Blitar can benefit from this program.”

The administration has proposed an additional 200 to 300 electric pedicabs for the next distribution phase. Officials say conventional pedicabs still dominate several crowded areas in the city.

Elim said he often sees many traditional pedicabs operating near the Bung Karno Cemetery complex. The site remains one of Blitar’s busiest tourist destinations.

“I often pass the Bung Karno Cemetery area, and many conventional pedicabs still operate there,” he said. “Because of that, we continue pushing the pedicab electrification program.”

The initiative aims to improve drivers’ welfare and reduce the physical burden of cycling long distances every day. Officials also view the program as part of a transition toward cleaner urban transportation.

According to Elim, the assistance program reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s attention toward pedicab drivers and informal workers.

Authorities distribute the electric pedicabs through a foundation appointed by the government to manage the aid program.

“This is a form of President Prabowo’s attention toward pedicab drivers,” Elim said. “The distribution process runs through an appointed foundation.”

The program has attracted strong public attention in Blitar. Pedicabs still serve as an important source of income in tourist and commercial areas across the city.