Limo taxis soon to roll out in Metro Manila

The Department of Transportation and Communications will soon roll out a premium limousine taxi service in Metro Manila, a ranking official said late Tuesday.

"Inspired by 'CHAIRMAN' De Luxe Taxi (in South Korea), (Transport) Sec. Joseph Emilio A. Abaya had authorized me to roll out premium taxis in Manila to provide our discriminating passengers with another safe, convenient, comfortable and reliable public transportation," Chairman Winston Ginez of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said on his Facebook account.

DOTC officials led by Abaya are in Seoul at the invitation of the Korean Transport Insitute "for knowledge sharing, development cooperation and partnerships with regard to transport infrastructure in the Philippines," Ginez said.

Also with them is Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson.

"We are meeting leaders of (Korean) government agencies, such as those involved in railways, ports and airports development," Ginez added.

Ginez told GMA News Online that the new premium taxi service will be added to the existing public transport system by virtue of DOTC Department Order 2015-11.

The LTFRB is set to publish the Memorandum Circular covering the premium taxi service and call public hearings by March.

"We will publish MC implementing the DO by March and do the selection of participants before end of march. We want to see the units rolled out by May - June," Ginez said.

Ginez said the premium taxis will be covered by a franchise. Fares will be metered with rates higher than those charged by regular taxis.

Ginez posted pictures of black deluxe taxicabs now in service in Seoul which he said would most likely resemble the premium taxis they intend to roll out in Manila.

Seoul's deluxe taxis are called mobeom taeksi (literally “model taxi”) in Korean.