Taxis to accept any hike set by LTFRB

Taxis in Metro Cebu will just implement whatever hike granted to them by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Richard Cabucos, president of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association, said their group, with about 4,000 taxi unit members, is not initiating any petition for the flag down rate contrary to their counterparts in Manila who called for an additional P10 to the flag down rate.

Cabucos said, their taxi units, which are mostly running on Liquefied Petroleum Gas, are not so affected by the recent increase in gasoline prices.

For the taxis, LTFRB chair Thompson Lantion said the agency can grant them a P10 fare hike separate from the overall fare of the passenger as indicated in the taxi meter.

In a hearing last Friday in Manila, taxi operators said that the possible P10 additional charge is to add to the take-home pay of taxi drivers, and the current rates —P30 flag down rate and P2.50 for each succeeding kilometer and for waiting— will remain unchanged.

This was suggested since increasing or changing the flag down rate would mean calibrating the taxi meters and entail additional costs.

Taxi operators in Manila also said they will not raise their rates for their boundaries despite the possible additional charge.

Lantion said the board will come out with a decision and the corresponding regulations within 10 days from Friday’s hearing.

One proposed regulation is the issuance of stickers to legitimate taxis to remind passengers to pay the additional charge to avoid confusion.

Other than the rates of taxi fare, Lantion hinted the board may also grant additional P1 to whatever is the minimum fare among jeepneys.  — Ferliza C. Contratista and Jessica Ann L. Pareja/BRP