LTFRB urges complainants vs. abusive cabbies to attend board hearings

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Wednesday called on passengers who were charged excessively or were refused by cab drivers to attend hearings as regards their complaints before the board.

LTFRB executive director Attorney Samuel Jardin said it would only take one quick hearing for the board to have a basis on how to decide a passenger's complaint.

“Kasi minsan, magco-complain pagkatapos ningas kugon... So kung tayo’s gagawa ng suspension o decision, wala tayong basehan kung wala namang testigo,” Jardin told GMA News.

“Mabilis lang naman yan. Isang hearing lang, tapos na yan,” he added.

Jardin said abusive cabbies remain a problem despite numerous campaigns against violators of taxi cab regulations.

Taxi drivers usually cite traffic and security concerns for refusing to convey passengers but the LTFRB said these were unacceptable.

“We are actually increasing our visibility especially in the mall areas," Jardin said.

Taxi drivers who refuse to convey passengers shall be fined P5,000 on the first offense. The penalty increases to a fine of P10,000 with a 30-day impounding of the unit for the second offense; and a fine of P15,000 and cancellation of the Certificate for Public Convenience (CPC) for the third offense. —NB, GMA News