CEBU, Philippines- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board– 7 will endorse to its head office the request of some mall and hotel operators here for an additional 2,500 taxi units.
LTFRB-7 director Rey Elnar said he will endorse the request to the head office within the week.
Eventually, Elnar said, the Department of Transportation and Communications will be the one to decide on the request.
“It is beyond my authority to grant their request. DOTC still has to conduct a study on this,” Elnar said.
There is an existing moratorium on the issuance of taxi franchise, including all other public utility vehicles since 2002.
“According to the mall and hotel operators in Cebu, there is a need for additional taxi units especially during peak hours… kuwang gyud og taxi,” Elnar said.
Elnar said there are around 5,750 taxi units operating in Central Visayas and 5,700 of these are operating in Cebu.
He said, however, that not all 5,700 units are actually operating daily since some undergo repairs.
Elnar said mall and hotel operators have expressed the need for more units once SM Seaside City and Robinsons Galleria-Cebu will open.
“It’s really up to DOTC to lift the moratorium,” Elnar said. (FREEMAN)