Taxi operator summoned for overcharging K-pop star

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has summoned the operator of a taxi unit in Cebu, in connection with an incident involving overcharging a member of a Korean pop group.

The LTFRB said the summons stemmed from a vlog of Soobin of the K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, who said the driver asked more than their agreed fare rate.

The agency ordered the operator to surrender the license plate of the taxi and the license of the driver involved in the incident.

“This is a serious offense as this puts the name of our country in a bad light,” LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II said.

In his vlog, Soobin said that he agreed when the driver asked P500 even as he knew that the fare was only around P300 based on figures of a ride-hailing app.

However, upon reaching the destination, Soobin said the driver raised the fare to P1,000.

Soobin said that before he traveled to the Philippines, he sought the advice of his friends who had visited the country.

He said he was aware that some taxi drivers in the Philippines charged more than the correct fare.

Soobin said his fellow band member, Taehyun, advised him to act angry if a driver would try to overcharge him.

“Taehyun has traveled to Cebu before. We asked him for some travel tips and he told us to act angry if anyone tries to overcharge us,” he said.

“I can’t believe he would raise the price so suddenly like that. We agreed on P500 before getting (in the taxi), but when we arrived at the hotel, he charged us P1,000,” Soobin said, referring to the driver.

The LTFRB suspended the unit involved for 30 days.

Mendoza said the operator was told to attend a hearing on April 21, and to explain in writing why the taxi’s franchise should not be revoked over the incident.

Mendoza said the incident is a clear violation of the LTFRB’s basic rules and regulations as well as of the terms and conditions of the Certificate of Public Conveyance.

The board said it is looking at drafting a new policy to address repeated complaints against erring taxi drivers.

Mendoza earlier said that impounding of units and filing of criminal charges aside from administrative cases will be imposed against these taxi drivers.

“We support taxi drivers who follow the rules and regulations. We are showing them the consequences that they will face once they defy the rules,” Mendoza said.