House panel OKs bill penalizing rude, arrogant taxi drivers

A measure penalizing taxi drivers who are rude and refuse passengers inched closer to becoming a law Wednesday after it was approved by the House of Representatives' transportation committee.

Committee chair Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento said the approval of the still unnumbered bill was timely because of recent reports of taxi passengers encountering abusive drivers.

“This bill will protect taxi riders and will provide mechanism for penalizing abusive taxi drivers,” he said.

Under the measure, taxi drivers are required to obtain the proper license, wear proper clothing and show an official identification card.

They must also be courteous and not be under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs.

Passengers shall have the 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.

They shall also have the right to pay the rate as posted in the taxi meter, be given the exact amount of change, and issued a receipt for the trip.

In addition, passengers shall have the privilege of bringing their animal companion or portable mobility aid with them inside the taxi, and refuse multiple hiring or the practice of a driver accepting multiple passengers for a single journey.

They shall also have the right to request for a silent atmosphere throughout the trip, and decide on the orientation of air conditioning and lighting systems inside the taxi.

Taxis should be clean, safe, smoke-free, and in good condition, while the fare meter should be duly calibrated and sealed by the authorities.

The taxi’s plate number and the emergency numbers for passenger assistance should also be prominently displayed on the side door or in any other conspicuous place within the taxi.

Should the bill be passed into law, erring taxi drivers will be fined P1,000 and have their driver’s license suspended for seven days.

A second offense, meanwhile, will result in the imposition of a P3,000 fine and suspension of driver’s license for a period of six months.

A fine of P5,000 and year-long suspension of driver’s license await drivers who will violate the provisions of the measure for the third and succeeding times.

Operators will be fined anywhere between P1,000 to P5,000 for each offense at the discretion of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

In all cases, the erring driver or operator shall undergo an education seminar provided under the measure. The attendance by the concerned drivers and operators in such seminars shall be mandatory failure of which shall be a ground for the non-reinstatement of the driver’s license or suspension of the franchise of the operator, as the case may be. —ALG, GMA News