P50 flag-down rate still insufficient, taxi drivers say

Even though many taxi riders are probably still not aware that the flag-down rate is now P50, some taxi drivers say that it is still insufficient, and hope it can be raised to P60.

In Raffy Tima’s on 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday, taxi driver Conrado said his customers were caught off-guard by the new flag-down rate, which is based on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Central Office’s order earlier this year for both airconditioned and non-airconditioned taxis, excluding airport taxi services.

This is in response to the fare hike petition of taxi drivers in 2022.

“Meron hong nagagalit, merong ibang bumababa na lang kasi nagugulat nga sila P50 na flag-down. Yung iba naman pag pinaliwanag mo nang maayos, wala naman problema sa kanila,” Conrado said.

(Some get mad while others get outonce they are informed that the flag-down rate is P50. There are also those who have no problem once it is explained to them properly.)

He added that his operator was prompt in having his taxi meter calibrated.

Only taxis with re-calibrated meters may charge the new flag-down rate. However, some taxi drivers have chosen not to do so since it is another expense.

“Parang ayaw na ng may-ari pa resealing kasi mahal ang bayad sa dami nilang unit, tapos P50 lang yung dagdag, lugi sila,” taxi driver Ruel said.

(It seems that the owner does not want to reseal the taxi’s meter since it costs a lot, and then the additional flag-down is just P50. It’s a loss.)

The Philippine National Taxi Operators Association said as much they are thankful for the increase, it is still not enough.

“Dapat ang ibinigay nila was yung original petition na P60 na flag-down rate [They should have granted the original petition of P60], that would have been more helpful,” said Bong Suntay, president of the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association.

“Maganda naman yun kasi dagdag kita namin pero kaso lang tumataas din ang gasolina, parang parehas lang,” taxi driver Rufino said.

(It’s good since it is additional income, but since gasoline prices are also increasing, there’s no difference.)

For some commuters, an increase in the taxi fare is out of their budget, while others said they prefer transport network vehicle services. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News