Overcharging cab driver arrested at NAIA - 1

The taxi driver on a viral video refusing to use the fare meter was apprehended Friday by operatives of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

LTFRB member Atty. Aileen Lizada said that Frederick Cayanan, the driver of the taxi with plate number ALA 3281, was apprehended by the board’s enforcers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, Friday afternoon.

Lizada said that Cayanan tried to elude the arrest, which resulted in a brief chase.

Taxi scam “Based on the reports na binigay sa mga LTO (Land Transportation Office) enforcers, may prangkisa yung taxi pero hindi niya ginagamit ang metro at mayroon syang sariling fare matrix (Based on the reports given to LTO enforcers, the taxi has a franchise but the driver is not using its meter and instead, using his own fare matrix),” Lizada said.

According to Lizada, Cayanan was also the same cabbie caught in a viral video by Filipino-American blogger Haley Dasovich who refused to use the fare meter.

Dasovich, who was also lectured by the taxi driver, called it a “taxi scam” after she was asked to pay a fixed rate of P500.

“Taxi scams happen often in Manila, Philippines. You know you’re being scammed when the taxi driver does not turn the meter on, or asks for ‘fixed rates’,” Dasovich said in her blog post.

Exorbitant fares The LTFRB bared that Cayanan is charging 1600 from airport passengers going to Pasay City, 11,100 to San Juan, 12,200 to Valanzuela, and even 16,300 to Pangasinan.

Even if the unit driven by Cayanan has an existing franchise, Lizada said that the board is considering the unit as ‘colorum’ for having his own rate and not using the meter.

Stiff penalties “Kung hindi ginagamit ang meter at may sariling fare matrix, the operator will be held accountable for operating as colorum kasi ibang denomination yung ganito (If they are not using the meter and they have their own fare matrix, the operator will be held accountable for operating as colorum because this is a different denomination). This belongs to a tourist transport car or shuttle but not taxi because taxis should use their meter,” Lizada explained.

It appears that the operator, identified by the LTFRB as Benjamin Porras, is allegedly a member of the Philippine National Police according to Lizada.

After apprehension, the taxi unit will be impounded for three months while the operator will be slapped a 1120,000 fine.

A show-cause order will also be issued by the Board against Porras to explain why his franchise should not be revoked.

Lizada added that they are now coordinating with the LTO for the possible cancellation of Cayanan’s driver’s license.

At least 88 taxis in the vicinity of NAIA terminals were impounded by the LTFRB recently for not having a Certificate of Public Convenience and for overcharging.