Cam, Wi-Fi for taxi calibration

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will start the calibration and sealing/resealing of taxi meters next month and this will be until May 2018.

Prior to the calibration and sealing/resealing, taxi units must be equipped with a GNSS receiver, free Wi-Fi, CCTV with continuous recording of past 72 hours of operation, dashboard camera and online digital platforms in compliance with the PUb Modernization Program and Department Order number 2017-011.

Taxi operators must also submit evaluation report on the adequacy of taxi meter memory to store transaction data and certificate of accuracy of the taxi meters from the Department of Science and Technology-National Metrology Laboratory prior to calibration and sealing/resealing.

Memorandum Circular number 2017026 or the implementing guidelines for calibration and sealing/resealing of taxi meter for 2017 fare adjustment states that a penalty in the amount of P200 per day of delay shall be imposed for late calibration and sealing/ resealing.

The board aims to accomplish the calibration, sealing/ resealing of the taxi meters within the designated schedules but these are only applicable in the Central Office and the National Capital Region.

Taxi units with plate number ending in 1 and 6 will be in December 2017; 2 and 7 in January 2018; 3 and 8 in February 2018; 4 and 9 in April 2018; and plate number ending in 5 and 0 will be in May 2018.

LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said he still has to finalize the schedule for Region 7 since the circular provides that the regional offices are given the freedom to decide on their schedule.

All taxi operators must abide by the guidelines to avoid imposition of penalties.

Operators are not allowed to calibrate and seal/reseal their taxi meters earlier or later than the scheduled dates.

The memorandum also states that taxi operators are required to pay P510 per case number for the increase of rate; P10 per case number as legal research fee; P500 per unit for the testing and sealing/resealing; P50 per unit for the inspection and P40 per unit for the verification

The said memorandum was signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III and board members Atty. Aileen Lourdes Lizada and Engr. Ronaldo Corpus and attested by Executive Director Atty. Augustine Vestil Jr.