Lawmaker seeks probe of high airport taxi fares

MANILA, Philippines - The House committee on transportation should inquire into the high fares that accredited taxi operators at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are charging customers, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said yesterday.

In a resolution, Rodriguez said these operators are “overcharging” passengers.

“Ordinary taxis charge a flagdown rate of P40 and P3.50 for every 300 meters, while metered airport taxis, which are painted yellow, charge a P70 flag-down rate and P4 for every 300 meters,” he said.

“These yellow taxis are taking advantage of this and are even charging passengers fixed rates without using their meters. One passenger was reported to have been charged P620 from the airport to SM Mall of Asia, which is just a short distance, after being shown a laminated piece of paper that listed the supposed rates,” Rodriguez added.

He said passengers are forced to take the airport-accredited taxis since other taxicabs are prohibited from picking up customers at the airport.

“I do not know whose bright idea this prohibition is, but apparently, the accredited operators are being favored,” Rodriguez said.

He said he has information that it is the airport police and airport management that are disallowing ordinary taxis from taking passengers at the airport. “They are only allowed to unload passengers,” he said.

Rodriguez pointed out that there was no such prohibition in the past and people were free to choose between airport-accredited taxis and ordinary taxicabs that unload customers at the international airport.

“There is a need to address this situation as these unscrupulous taxi drivers that operate in international airports can give the country a bad name. Thus, the need for an inquiry,” he added.