LTFRB to commuters: Give details in reporting overcharging taxis

If they want to report overcharging taxi drivers, commuters should include key details of the incident and show up at hearings on the matter at least once. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board issued the advice as the fare hike for cabs took effect on Monday. "Kunin ang plate number ng taxi at kung makuha ang DTI trade name, mas magaling. Kung may cell phone at camera at makuha ang picture ng driver, mas maigi (Get the cab's plate number and if you can get the cab's company name, so much the better. Also it will help if you can snap a photo of the cab driver)," LTFRB spokesperson Sonia del Mundo said in an interview on dzBB radio. She said commuters reporting abuses by cab drivers can call the LTFRB through landline at 4262515, or send a text message to 0921-4487777.

Del Mundo reminded taxi operators that they face a penalty of P5,000 per unit if they charge the new P40 rate without a calibrated receipt-issuing meter. She said that in such cases, the driver can have his license suspended while the operator can have his franchise suspended or even revoked. On the other hand, del Mundo asked complainants to personally appear before the LTFRB at least once during a hearing, so the case can proceed. "At least isang beses sila mag-appear to suffice (They should appear at least once just so the case can proceed)," she said. On Monday, the LTFRB allowed some taxis to start charging the P40 minimum fare, but on condition that they have calibrated and receipt-issuing meters. The LTFRB also set a schedule for the calibration of meters, as it said it cannot recalibrate all meters of more than 20,000 taxis simultaneously. First to have their meters recalibrated are taxis with plate numbers ending in 1 and 6. Taxis with plate numbers ending in 2 and 7 will have their turn in February; those ending in 3 and 8 in March; those ending in 4 and 9 in April; and those ending in 5 and 0 in May. Also, the LTFRB said commuters should also check for the appropriate stickers on windshields indicating the taxi is cleared to charge a minimum fare of P40. — RSJ, GMANews.TV