MANILA, Philippines – Despite the looming implementation of taxi fare hike next week, passengers can insist on paying the old P30-flagdown rate if the cab has no receipt-issuing meter or has run out of the official receipts. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reiterated this Thursday, stressing that taxis without receipt-issuing meters are not entitled to charge the recently approved P40-flagdown rate and the P3.50 rate per succeeding kilometer covered.
LTFRB Board Member Manuel Iway said drivers of taxis without receipt-issuing meters or those that run out of official receipts will be fined P2,500 per offense for nonissuance of receipts. He said that there is no authorized substitute for the official receipts, which are being tracked down by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
“Taxis can charge only the P30flagdown rate if they don’t have receipt-issuing meters. But for those that do have receipt-issuing meters but ran out of receipts, they are advised not to convey passengers until they have replenished their supply,” Iway said.
If the driver of a taxi that does not have a receipt-issuing meter insists on charging the new rate, Iway said the passenger may file a complaint against the driver and the cab operator for overcharging. He said the driver’s license may be suspended for 15 days for the first offense; 30 days, second offense, and revocation of the driver’s license, third offense, while the operators will be fined P3,000 for the first offense; P4,000, second offense, P5,000 and cancellation of the certificate for public conveyance, third offense.
Iway also said the LTFRB will issue yellow stickers as proof that the taxi’s meter has been calibrated and sealed. The sticker will be prominently displayed on the taxi’s windshield.
“We think these fines and penalties are just and enough to discipline non-compliant drivers,” he said.
Iway urged passengers to call the LTFRB hotlines, (cell phone) 0921-448-7777, 92-57-191, or42-62-515, and report non-compliant drivers so they could be dealt with accordingly. He said the LTFRB will ask the assistance of law enforcers of the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Transportation and Communications Action Center to monitor the implementation of the taxi fare hike, similar to the “Oplan Isnabero” campaign launched against discourteous taxi drivers last year.
Kris Bayos, Manila Bulletin
