904 taxis running with uncalibrated meters

CEBU, Philippines - The deadline for resealing of taxi meters was last April 30 yet, but some 904 taxi units in Metro Cebu are running without undergoing through the requirement.

Ariel Yburan, the head of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 resealing section, said there are 6,050 registered taxi units in Metro Cebu but only 5,146 had been submitted for resealing until yesterday.

LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon explained that the drivers of taxi units whose fare meters were not submitted for resealing can be apprehended, although it may be difficult to identify these taxi units.

Cuizon said it might be possible that the operators of these taxi units had experienced problems about their documents and it is also possible that some of these vehicles are being used only during night time, where there are no law enforcers to apprehend them.

“Posible nga kining maong mga taxi units padaganon panahon ra sa gabii kay wala na may manakop unya anha kini sila mag-standby ug magpaabot og pasahero sa mga call centers,” he said.

The LTFRB officials yesterday conducted a seminar to members of the newly-created Task Force Anti-Illegal Franchise composed of representatives from the CITOM enforcers, LTFRB and from the media.

They were taught how to detect a fake vehicle’s franchise and the specific violations involving a franchise issued by the LTFRB.

Taxi units whose meters were not calibrated after the April 30 deadline shall be apprehended. Their operators will have to pay a fine of P5,000 plus P200 for each day after the deadline lapsed.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB yesterday encouraged students to avail of the 20 percent fare discounts on public utility vehicles.

Cuizon said the fare discounts to students can be granted only during school days and shall cover those currently enrolled in pre-school, elementary, secondary and tertiary schools, including academic, vocational or technical schools duly recognized by the government.

Cuizon explained that students of dancing and driving schools, short-term courses of seminar type and post-graduate studies taking up medicine, law, masteral and doctoral degrees could not avail of the discount.

He said the students can compel the drivers of public utility vehicles to grant them the 20 percent discount in their fares. — (FREEMAN)