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LTFRB OKs taxi fare hike

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 3) – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has already approved the taxi fare increase but implementation is pending due to the two proposals of two taxi operators regarding the flag down rate which are P25 and P27.

According to LTFRB Chief Atty. Brenda Poclay, the two proposals are in the deliberation process and the increase will probably take effect on the last week of November. She said fare rates in the Cordillera are not the same compared to other regions because of the terrain.

Poclay added that “even with the two proposals on the flag down rate, we will likely go for P25 like in Manila before.”

In Metro Manila, the flag down rate is P25 but due to the continuing increase of oil price, this may increase to P30 and one peso every succeeding kilometer.

In an interview with NORDIS, Roy Pitas, 45, a taxi driver for 12 years from Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet, he said that even if the flag down rate increases, this won’t have any effect on us because of the continuing price increase of gasoline and prime commodities. I’m sure that with the crisis we are experiencing today and with the fare increase, only a few passengers will opt to ride the taxi, except perhaps if they are in a hurry.”

He added that with this situation, it may be harder for them to earn the boundary. “I used to earn P700 where sometimes I had to shell out my own money. It’s worse now because of the fare increase. Taxi drivers don’t rest as we have to go around looking for passengers, unlike jeepneys that are easily filled up in their stations. We consume a lot of gasoline while driving around”.

Another cab driver, Raul Terre, 41, from Bakakeng Norte here feels that it will only be the taxi operators who will benefit from the fare increase.

“Hindi rin kami kikita nang malaki kahit tumaas ang pasahe sa taxi kasi mga operators lang ang kumikita dyan. Ang taxi ay malakas lang kung Disyembre, summer at saka kung may malaking okasyon dito. Para sa akin, mas lalong kakaunti ang sasakay kasi masasayangan sila sa pasahe kaya mag-jeep na lang sila o kaya mapipilitan lang sila kung talagang marami ang dala na di puwede sa jeep”, he said.

Fare discount

According to Poclay, “Students and senior citizens must have a fare discount of 20% at all times even when students are on vacation. Passengers have the right to file complaints with our office against drivers and operators who do not give discounts. Our office will take the right action and warn them. For the third offense, we are going to suspend them for a month”.

Colorum vehicles

Colorum vehicles are hard to apprehend as they usually operate at night and early morning to avoid law enforcers. If ever one is apprehended, others are immediately notified through cellphones.

All illegal vehicles Poclay added, “are those with green plate, which means they have no franchise and thus should not be transporting passengers. Usually these are vans and FX taxis plying the route to the lowlands and most have their parking area in La Trinidad”.

She advised passengers not to ride in green plated vehicles because these are not registered and have no insurance in case of lost baggage and accidents.

Poclay reiterated that garage vehicles and vehicles for hire are different from colorum ones. The violation is merely operating out of line and breach of franchise and once caught, the LTFRB and the DOTC will impound these vehicles until the owner pays for a minimal amount for the release. # Johnny Fialen for NORDIS

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