Labella takes action on plaints vs. Yellow Taxis

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella said many taxi operators and drivers have raised complaints against officials of Mactan Cebu International Airport for allowing only the Yellow Taxi to serve the arriving passengers.

Labella said while the operation of Yellow Taxi greatly improves order in transporting passengers from the airport, many local travelers said the P70 flag down rate and P4 fare per succeeding 250 meters are far more expensive than the rates of ordinary taxis.

Airport officials earlier said the operation of the Yellow Taxi, which is operated by a consortium of taxi operators, will help eradicate bad impressions of taxi drivers in Cebu, a world-class destination and gateway to tourist attractions in the country.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had approved the operation of the Yellow Taxi, whose fare rate is much higher compared to that of other taxi units.

Airport officials came up with this idea to prevent unscrupulous drivers from victimizing arriving passengers.

It has been noted that these drivers would refuse to follow the metering scheme, especially if the destination is far from the airport.

Airport officials said they are hoping that with the operation of the Yellow Taxi, the activities of those abusive drivers will be stopped since its units are equipped with a gadget that will issue official receipt to passengers.

“Dili man tinuod nga gidid-an na ang ubang taxi pag-pick-up og pasahero apan wala lang sila tugoti nga makasulod sa arrival area. Tua ra sila sa unahan,” said an airport official who asked not to be identified.

Labella said taxi operators and drivers in Cebu are worried because of reports that the Yellow Taxi operators will purchase more units.

The Yellow Taxicabs are not allowed to carry passengers in going back to the airport that is why the fare is double.

“While employing exclusive airport taxicabs is a very commendable action, as such provides more order around the airport, deploying other public utility transport is still as beneficial to the same purpose, just as it is in first-world-countries like Japan or the United States,” Labella said. – Rene U. Borromeo/LPM   (FREEMAN NEWS)