DOTC: Commuters can still appeal taxi fare hike

Commuters in Metro Manila and Cebu City can still stave off the recently approved fare hike for taxis by sending an appeal to the Department of Transportation and Communications. DOTC spokesman Undersecretary Dante Velasco also reminded taxi drivers not to impose the fare hike, which he said can take effect in mid-January, or 15 days after the order is published. “As a matter of procedure, concerned citizens can still appeal the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for DOTC review. They can do so in the next 15 days," Velasco said in Filipino in an interview aired on dzBB Saturday morning. He said it is possible the DOTC may “postpone" the fare hike, if it finds such appeals meritorious. The LTFRB approved in late December the fare adjustment for taxis, increasing the minimum fare from P30 to P40. It also hiked to P3.50 (from the previous P2.50) the additional charge for every 300-meter distance covered. Velasco said the fare hike order covers only Metro Manila and Cebu City. Also, Velasco reminded taxi drivers and operators they still need to install new and calibrated receipt-issuing meters before they can charge the new rates. “The LTFRB order says the fare hike will take effect 15 days after publication. As far as I know, the University of the Philippines Law Center is expected to publish the new rates Jan. 3 to 5. So after 15 days or Jan. 20, that is when the new rate will take effect," he said. He also said passengers can refuse to pay the new rates if the taxi lacks a calibrated meter that can issue receipts. “Kung di makakabigay ng resibo o di calibrated, di required magbayad ng bagong rate ang pasahero ... Kung di mag-issue ng receipt ang taxi pwedeng di bayaran ang bagong rate (If the meter cannot issue receipts or is not calibrated, the passenger can opt not to pay the new rate)," he said. On the other hand, Velasco said the fare hike may have been a needed one for taxi operators, who he said have to cope with rising costs of fuel and maintenance. He said taxi operators had been asking for a fare hike since 2004. — LBG, GMANews.TV