DOTC gears up to probe complaints vs abusive cabbies

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will pursue the hundreds of complaints filed against abusive taxicab drivers that their Action Center Hotline 7890 received during the Christmas holiday break, an official said yesterday.

Undersecretary Dante Velasco, head of the center, said their action officers will investigate text and call-in complaints this week and at the start of next year “so we can penalize the erring cab drivers.”

He said DOTC Secretary Jose de Jesus has given his full support for their Oplan Laban sa Isnabero campaign, which has already resulted in the apprehension of 40 taxi drivers from Dec. 6 to 17.

The DOTC Action Center reported that from Dec. 6 to 19, its Hotline 7890 received a total of 103 calls. The DOTC Action Center Smart (09192227462) and Globe (09172470385) numbers have registered a total of 650 calls and 16,719 text messages.

Velasco said these taxi drivers and operators mentioned in the complaints will still have to undergo due process.

For unreasonable refusal to convey passengers, the corresponding penalty is the suspension of taxi driver’s license for two months and P1,500 fine.

Overcharging passengers would get a driver two months’ suspension of his license and P750 fine.

If a driver shows undue preference for or unjust discrimination against a passenger, it means a two-month suspension and P600 fine. If it is proven that the operator knows about the driver’s activity, the operator’s Official Receipt/Certificate of Registration will be suspended.

Discourtesy earns a two-month suspension of a driver’s license and P500 fine.

For fast, tampered, defective or non-operational, broken, fake or altered meter seal, the first offense merits a suspension of the taxi driver’s license for three months and P3,000 fine; a second offense has a corresponding penalty of four months’ suspension and P4,000 fine; and a third offense will mean the suspension of the driver’s license for six months and P6,000 fine. For subsequent offenses, the taxi driver’s license will be revoked and the taxi’s franchise will be recommended for cancellation.

If a driver strikes up a “contract” with a passenger, he gets a 45-day suspension and P750 fine.

Velasco urged commuters to report their complaints to the DOTC Action  Center, “so we can establish a culture of discipline, and respect on our roads.”

He added that “these operators and drivers have been given the privilege to enter the taxi business. They should abide by the conditions set in their franchise.”