Solon proposes 'Bill of Rights of Taxi Passengers'

MANILA, Philippines - The proposed "Bill of Rights of Taxi Passengers" will protect commuters from abusive, itinerant and discourteous drivers.

Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian filed House Bill 3681 to address the common problem of commuters on taxi drivers.

"They pick passengers on their terms, refuse carriage for some destinations, force you to pay an extra amount on top of the meter bill, are discourteous and tricks most passengers on circuitous routes to earn extra money," Gatchalian said.

Visit our Bill Tracker to view more details of the proposed measure.

The lawmaker noted that the sad state of the country's transportation system has been tolerated and ignored due to lack of laws that would protect the commuting public.

The proposed measure provides that, "the State shall afford the public their established rights and the principles that will outline expectations on their commute to ensure their safety, and improve taxi service in the country."

The bill states that a taxi driver should be licensed, properly dressed, courteous and not under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs. The driver should display his or her taxi driver's license and indicate the taxi's plate number, operator name, place of business and contact numbers inside the doors of the taxi.

Among the responsibilities of a taxi driver stated in the said Bill of Rights is to accept all trips regardless of length, refrain from soliciting or requiring passengers to pay more than the displayed meter fare and to know the major routes and destinations.

Gatchalian quoted Article 1755 of the Civil Code which says, "A common carrier is bound to carry the passengers safely as far as human care and foresight can provide, using the utmost diligence of very cautious persons, with a due regard for all the circumstances."

Taxi passengers who have their rights violated may file a complaint against the taxi driver and the operator with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Drivers and operators who will willfully violate any provision in the said bill of rights will have to pay a fine ranging from P500 to P10,000 and may have their driver's license or Certificate of Public Convenience suspended, depending on the level of offense.

The Bill of Rights for Taxi Passengers is now pending before the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation.