Senator Manny Villar: Taxi Drivers Should Not Choose Or Refuse Passengers
Finally, better rights for the taxi-riding public? As a frequent taxi rider myself, one way I address the problem of having one too many a choosy taxi driver is by being myself choosy with the cabs I ride. In fact, I believe that it's more economical to ride the newer-model vehicles, in particular those post-year 2000 Toyota Corollas, since you get to enjoy a safer and more comfortable ride (i.e. cooler air conditioning, firmer and more ergonomical seats, and generally a cleaner feel), and with generally a faster travel time. Thus, I make it a point to refuse cabs that do not look or sound well-maintained, or whose drivers seem badly-groomed, unruly or disrespectful. And as much as possible, I make it a point to call for a cab (from several reputable taxi companies) instead of flagging one down, especially with more distant destinations. Some of my usually-called transpo companies (if calling from outside Metro Manila, use 02 as area code. Replace 0 with +63 if for some reason, you find the need to call a cab from outside the Philippines):
Angelo
An excerpt from the media release:
- MGE - 363-6096, 364-8260
- R&E - 330-1654, 362-1890
- Basic - 900-1447 to 48 (plus PhP 70)
- Taxi Dispatch - 373-TAXI (8294) (plus PhP 50)
- R&E - 330-1654, 362-1890
Angelo
An excerpt from the media release:
VILLAR: TAXI DRIVERS SHOULD NOT CHOOSE OR REFUSE PASSENGERS
Commuters should not be inconvenienced by such practice of taxi drivers
...
Senator Manny Villar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order, says the common practice of taxi drivers who choose or refuse passengers should be stopped, since it unduly inconveniences commuters.
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Senate Bill 782 upholds the promotion of the general welfare of the Filipinos, particularly equal access to public services and utilities such as transportation. It provides for penalties to taxi drivers who violate the law.
According to Villar, the concerned authorities such as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have also been issuing warnings to taxi drivers and operators in being choosy in rendering services, but to no avail.
"Its about time, we issue stiffer penalties because it seems that mere warnings do not work in disciplining taxi drivers. I just don't want commuters and passengers to be unduly inconvenienced by the unlawful behavior of taxi drivers. In fairness to them though, there are still a lot of fair and disciplined taxi drivers around," further cites Villar.
This entry was posted
on Monday, December 13, 2004 at 15:50.
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I was at Glorietta Friday night and the cab drivers never let any passengers ride.
Ardythe Santos on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 1:06:00 PM
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Ardythe, thanks for the post. It's indeed quite difficult to get a ride these days, especially with the Christmas rush.
Unknown on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 1:55:00 PM
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Does it really have to take a Republic Act to discipline Metro Manila taxi drivers? I thought the DOTC, LTFRB and LTO already have the power on this matter.
October 30 on Thursday, December 16, 2004 7:33:00 PM
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October 30, thanks for the post. I think that in this country of ours, it will take more than a Republic Act to curb the undisciplined tendencies of many of our drivers, whether of public utility or private vehicles (there are, indeed, good ones, after all). Lack of discipline on the streets, as well as in other aspects of life, has been so ingrained in our society that I think it has been one cause of our nation's not moving forward in terms of its economic standing. One area I'm thinking of is the opportunity cost of our transportation systems' not being fast and efficient (i.e. the losses in terms of time and productivity).
Unknown on Friday, December 17, 2004 2:06:00 AM
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