Taxi drivers, operators protest nationwide taxi fare cut

MANILA, Philippines – A group of taxi drivers on Wednesday gathered in front of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) office in East Avenue, Quezon City to protest the fixed P10 rollback on taxi fare that will take effect on Saturday, March 19.

The transport groups are also opposing the waiting time charge of P3.50 for every succeeding 500 meters and P3.50 for every 90 seconds of waiting time, citing the sorry state of Metro Manila traffic. They are asking the board to recall the order as oil prices are hiking every week.

A radio report said the drivers are also seeking to oust LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez following the order.

Aside from the flagdown rate, taxi drivers and operators are complaining about the transport service UBER which they claimed to be an illegal competitor for having no franchise.

Board member Ariel Inton on the other hand explained that taxi operators and drivers have no reason to protest as the P30 flagdown rate has no effect since the board already issued a provisional P10 rollback on taxi fare in 2015.

Inton also clarified that rates for the distance and waiting time will only take effect in April onwards until all taxis are calibrated and resealed.

“The new flagdown rate for taxis and airport taxis shall be effective 10 days from publication hereof, even without resealing and calibration of the taxi-meters,” a consolidated decision from the board said.

“The new rates for the distance and the waiting time shall be effective upon resealing and calibration of their taxi meters,” it added.

The LTFRB on March 8 made permanent the provisional P30 flagdown rate from the previous P40 flagdown rate for all taxi cabs nationwide except in Cordillera Administrative Region. This change will take effect on March 19.

The board also made the P60 flagdown rate for airport taxis permanent while the running time rate will become P4 for every 90 seconds. 

READ: LTFRB cuts taxi flagdown rate by P10

Ginez maintained that the board only decided on the nationwide taxi fare cut for the benefit of commuters and citizens. He vowed that the LTFRB and the Department of Transport and Communications vows to uphold an comfortable and affordable public transportation.

“Prayoridad ng pamahalaan natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan. Dahil ditto, masusing pinagaralan ng LTFRB na makatuwirang bawasan ang singil-pamasahe sa taxi at airport taxis sa buong bansa nang naaayon sa galaw ng gastusin sa transportasyon,” Ginez said.

“Patuloy pa ring titiyakin ng LTFRB at ng DOTC ang ligtas maginhawa abot kaya at maasahang pagbiyahe ng ating mga mananakay sa pampublikong transportasyon. Ito ay bilang pagtalima sa mga prinsipyo ng Daang Matuwid ng administrasyon na ito,” he added.

RELATED: Groups oppose taxi fare cut | Taxi groups start 5-day protest vs cab fare cut in Panay