LTFRB reminds taxi drivers not to snub passengers

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday reminded taxi drivers not to snub passengers amid the anticipated increase in demand ahead of the holiday season.

According to newly-installed LTFRB spokesperson Celine Pialago, the agency is gearing up for its Oplan Isnabero which prohibits taxi drivers from ignoring passengers and urges the public to report any violators.

“Walang shortage sa public transportation dahil ang national effort naman po ay nandiyan mula po sa mga pampublikong sasakyan — mga trains natin, buses,” she said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum.

“‘Yung ugali lang po ng mga drivers natin ang lagi lang hong pinapaalalahanan na ‘wag po nating isnabin ang ating mga pasahero para po maging sapat ‘yung ratio po ng ating mga pasahero sa ating mga pampublikong sasakyan,” she added.

(There is no shortage in public transportation because of the national effort in our trains, and buses. It’s just the attitude of our drivers, who we are reminding not to snub passengers to ensure that the ratio of the passengers to public vehicles is enough.)

Pialogo, who formerly served as spokesperson of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), on Wednesday said it was her first day as spokesperson of the LTFRB. She tried to run for Congress in 2022 through the Malasakit Movement party-list but it was excluded by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from the final list.

The LTFRB in 2022 revived the Oplan Isnabero, which penalized taxi drivers proven to snub or choose passengers with P5,000 fine for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense, and P15,000 and the possible revocation of the franchise unit for the third offense.

The public can report errant taxi drivers to the LTFRB through its hotline, 1342, or through Viber at 09175501342.

Aside from the Oplan Isnabero, Pialago said the LTFRB will also be releasing special permits for buses moving in and out of Metro Manila from December 15, 2023 to January 5, 2024 in anticipation of the holiday rush.—Jon Viktor Cabuenas/AOL, GMA Integrated News