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LTFRB brings down taxi flag-down rate by P10


(Updated 12:39 p.m.) Good news for taxi riders: the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has allowed a P10 rollback in the flag-down rate for taxis.
 
LTFRB board member Ariel Inton said the provisional decrease will bring down the flag-down rate from P40 to P30, radio dzBB's James Agustin reported.
 
The new rate takes effect next Monday, March 9, he added. 

The fare reduction will take effect nationwide even as the LTFRB settles some documents on the matter, Agustin said in a separate report aired on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.
 
Agustin, quoting Inton, reported that the new rate is provisional, so there is no need to calibrate taxi meters again, and the driver should just deduct P10 from the fare on the meter.

"Pag sumakay kayo ng taxi, P40 pa rin nakita roon, pag ang pamasahe P100, P90 lang ang babayaran," Inton said over dzBB.
 
Inton also asked media to help inform the public about the decision, so there would be no more confusion by the time the new flag-down rate takes effect Monday.

Disadvantageous?
 
But not all welcomed the move - Quezon City councilor and Philippine National Taxi Operators Association Inc. president Bong Suntay said this could be disadvantageous to taxi drivers.
 
Suntay said this could be one less incentive for cabbies not to engage in the kontrata (predetermined fare) system, or use "butingting," or tampering with the taxi meter so it displays a higher fare.
 
"Ngayon binabawasan ang kita paano ang huwag sila mangontrata o gumamit ng butingting?" he told dzBB. 

He said they will appeal the LTFRB decision.



Last December, Negros Oriental Rep. Manuel Iway lodged separate petitions before the LTFRB for the reduction of fares of taxis, buses, and public utility vehicles.  — Joel Locsin and Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News

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