Taxi group deems new P50 flagdown rate insufficient due to increasing expenses

November 25, 2024 , 09:41 PM

By Rodolfo Dacleson II

(November 25, 2024) – A transportation group on Monday was dissatisfied with the implementation of the new flagdown rate for taxis nationwide ordered by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), citing the rising fuel costs and operating expenses.

Last March, the LTFRB approved the petition by taxi operators to increase the flagdown rate to P50. It, however, was not widely publicized by the agency, leading to confusion among commuters.

The Philippine National Taxi Operators Association (PNTOA) stressed that the adjustment still falls short of providing financial relief to drivers.

“Ang kailangan talaga ng driver is ‘yung 60 pesos (flagdown rate) for them to survive,” said PNTOA president Bong Suntay. “Hindi na pulled out from air ‘yang rate na ‘yan.”

In 2022, taxi operators called for a P60 flagdown rate, but the LTFRB only approved a five-peso increase, making it P45 in the National Capital Region.

On Tuesday, several oil companies will have price hikes, including additional costs of P1.15, P1.10, and P0.80 per liter for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, respectively.

“Gas namin (mauubos) kung ma-traffic kami,” said Sonny Tambanillo, a taxi driver. “Kung nagtaas man sa 50 (pesos ang flagdown rate), dapat pati ang aming running (meter rate) tumaas din.”

Commuters, meanwhile, expressed their concern over the higher flagdown rate amid the holiday season.

“It’s an inconvenience for people who use mass transportation, especially hindi naman lahat have the convenience of having their own car,” said Cyrus Fider.

Public transportation has been one of the major problems in the Philippines over the past years, with commuters bearing the brunt of the lack of systemic changes.

(With reports from Gerard Dela Peña, News5)

(PM)

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