Taxi operators 'hopeful' of P20 flag-down rate hike approval

Three months after they formally asked for an increase in their flag-down rate, a group of taxi operators on Wednesday said they are hopeful that the government would approve the request.

Interviewed on GMA News' Unang Balita, Philippine National Taxi Operators Association President Atty. Jesus Manuel Suntay said they are still waiting for the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to decide on their proposed P20 increase in flag-down rate.

“Waiting tayo sa decision ng LTFRB and we're very hopeful [dahil] resonable naman yung hinihingi ng taxi industry, yung karagdagang P20 sa flag-down rate,” he said.

(We are waiting for the decision of the LTFRB and we’re very hopeful since the request of the taxi industry for an additional P20 in flag-down rate is reasonable.)

If approved, the flag-down rate for taxis will increase to P60.

Suntay said taxi operators really need to increase the flag-down rate because of the series of price hikes in fuel products.

According to him, the limited operations and passengers during the implementation of some restrictions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic also affected the public utility vehicle industry.

He said they are expecting that the price of fuel would further increase as the “ber ” months start.

Asked if the possible increase would affect the ridership in taxis, Suntay said they expect the increase to be minimal considering that the price of fuel has already doubled.

He added that it has been seven years since the taxi operators asked for a fare increase.

The taxi operators asked the LTFRB to increase the flag-down rate in June. —KBK, GMA News