FILE PHOTO: Inside a taxi (UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines – Due to the continuous decrease in oil prices, commuters will enjoy a lower taxi fare, starting Monday, March 9.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved the P10-rollback in taxi flag down rate nationwide.
The cut will bring the flag down rate for regular taxi to P30 from the current P40, while P60 from the current P70 for airport taxis.
The succeeding 300-meter charges, however, remain at P3.50 on regular taxis, and P7.00 in airport taxis.
LTFRB Chairman Atty. Winston Ginez said there is no need for taxi meters to be calibrated.
The LTFRB appealed to taxi operators to give considerations to commuters for the immediate implementation of the fare cut.
“They only have to put a notice and deduct the P10 for the average fare,” Ginez said.
LTFRB clarified that the 20% discounts for students and senior citizens is still effective.
The petition was filed by Negros Oriental Rep. Manuel Iway, citing recent rollbacks in diesel and gasoline prices.
However, the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association (PNTOA) plans to block the implementation of the fare cut.
The PNTOA President, Bong Suntay, called the LTFRB move ‘unjustified’.
He said LTFRB failed to consider other factors such as inflation and heavy traffic, which cause limited number of trips taxis could make in a day, hurting their income.
Suntay said that despite the decreasing oil prices, they are anticipating increases in toll fees, minimum wage and higher cost of spare parts.
He added that they are still recovering from high fuel costs in the previous years. The last taxi fare increase was in 2010.
A taxi driver can ferry 30-35 passengers in a day. With the P10-rollback, he will lose P350.
“We are not happy with the reduction, it’s a loss to our profit,” said Petronilo Tinga, taxi driver.
“Prices of gasoline is not stable, this will affect our income,” Arnulfo Meraca said.
“Of course this will affect their profit, just like what i always said, they do not want choosy drivers but they do not want the taxi drivers to earn. It’s like, if you want good service you have to pay for good service, just like employees, if you pay peanuts you get monkeys,” Atty. Bong Suntay of PNTOA said.
Those who will not comply with the fare cut will be fined P5,000.
The LTFRB will also decide on the nationwide fare adjustment for UV Express and buses next week. (Mon Jocson / UNTV News)