House panel OKs taxi passengers’ ‘bill of rights’

The House committee on transportation approved yesterday a measure that establishes taxi passengers’ “bill of rights,” which penalizes abusive drivers.

The panel, chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, approved the bill that also mandates that passengers have the right to a licensed, sober and properly dressed taxi driver with a company identification card prominently displayed.

The measure, principally authored by Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lucy Torres-Gomez and Sherwin Gatchalian, also penalizes drivers who refuse passengers, those who charge more than the fare or refuse to issue receipts.

Under the bill, the taxi’s plate number and the emergency numbers for passenger assistance should also be displayed on the vehicle’s door sidings.

It also states that passengers have right to be picked up and transported to their stated destination regardless of the length of their journey or traffic condition, and direct the route.

Passengers shall also have the right to pay the rate posted by a calibrated taxi meter, be given the exact amount of change, and issued a receipt.

It also stated that passengers have the right to travel with their pets or portable mobility aid, and refuse multiple hiring or the practice of a driver accepting multiple passengers for a single journey.

Passengers can also request a quiet atmosphere throughout the trip, and decide on the orientation of air conditioning and lighting inside the taxi.

It says passengers are entitled to a “taxi that is clean, safe, smoke-free, and in good condition.”

First-time offenders will be fined P1,000 and their driver’s license will be suspended for seven days while second-time offenders get fined P3,000 and a six-month suspension.

For third and succeeding offenses, drivers will be fined P5,000 and their license will be suspended for a year.

Aside from the stiffer penalties, the erring driver and operators shall attend a seminar and failure to do so shall mean the non-reinstatement of the driver’s license or suspension of the franchise.