Over-charging Cebu taxis

WHILE Cebu tries to lure more visitors to fuel the economy through tourism, some taxi drivers are doing their best to make sure that tourists think twice about coming to Cebu.

While waiting for a cab at the Cebu City pier area, a Bzzzzz source overheard a taxi driver ask a foreigner who wanted to go to the Mactan airport for P1,500. The foreigner was with a Filipina who refused to grant the cab driver’s ridiculous demand.

Another passenger, a Filipino, was asked P300 from Pier 1 to Ayala Center Cebu.

There was also a cab driver who asked an elderly woman who was carrying three bags and an electric fan for P500. The cabbie was confident the old woman would take the bait because it was raining. Fortunately, someone intervened.

All these cabs have meters, but they come up with several excuses not to use them so that they can charge more from innocent or desperate passengers. This modus is often employed by taxi drivers at seaports and airports.

This is why some passengers walk a few meters from the gate of the seaport to avoid unscrupulous taxi drivers. Some passengers take the public utility jeepney. But this is hardly an option for those who are not familiar with Cebu.

What can authorities do? Police can station personnel at gates or taxi stands near seaports. Port authorities can follow the system used by certain malls that hand out slips containing the license plate numbers of the taxi to passengers.

Local governments can post on their websites information about jeepney routes to guide tourists. Not all tourists can afford to take the taxi or hire a car rental. Of course, security of jeepney passengers should also be addressed.