Palace official complains vs. overcharging taxis

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 will meet this week with taxi operators and drivers in Cebu and Bohol to discuss concerns on fare overcharging and other transport laws.

In a program he attended in Cebu yesterday, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go relayed a concern on fare overcharging by a taxi driver in Tagbilaran airport in Bohol to the LTFRB.

“Last week someone called me and was very angry and complained about the taxis in Bohol airport. The driver would not take in the passenger if they used the taxi meter,” Go said.

The report, Go said, was not the only one he received regarding overcharging of taxi fares.

“That’s why I’m requesting LTFRB if they can investigate it. I received several reports already, even in Cebu airport. Please check Cebu and Bohol airports, regional director,” he said.

LTFRB 7 Director Ahmed Cuizon, who was present during the program when Go made the request, said they already responded to the concern.

Cuizon said they went to Tagbilaran and two decoys were deployed who pretended to passengers to investigate the drivers.

“One of the decoys was me, that’s why when we consummated the transaction, we immediately apprehended the driver,” he said.

Cuizon said most of those who overcharge passengers in Tagbilaran airport are not white taxi drivers but drivers of those private vehicles who pretend to be for public use.

“These are colorum units, the car has no meter and markings inside unlike the regular taxis. This is the reason we urge passengers to check the vehicles before transacting with the drivers and demand that transportation rules should be followed,” he said.

At present, there are only 50 taxis operating in Bohol.

Cuizon said he will meet with taxi operators in Bohol on Friday and with drivers next week.

Cuizon said a dialogue with taxi operators and drivers in Cebu will also follow after that.

In Cebu, Cuizon said, there is no reason for taxi drivers to overcharge passengers as their units were already calibrated, so they can collect higher fares.

Of around 6,000 taxi units in Cebu, Cuizon said some 4,000 units were already calibrated. /