THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board urged passengers to report taxi drivers who refuse to convey them to their destinations, especially during the holiday season.
“Only a few passengers have reported taxi drivers’ refusal to convey them although there have been many cases mentioned in the news,” LTFRB board member Atty. Ariel Inton told the Philippines News Agency.
Inton said passengers can report such drivers through its 24-hour hotline number ‘‘1342.’’
In addition, passengers can also file complaints through the LTFRB mobile and Viber numbers: 0917-550-1342 for Globe subscribers or 0998-550-1342 for Smart/Talk ‘n Text subscribers.
“We again encourage passengers to call and complain,” he said.
Inton assured that the Board will continue to deploy teams to taxi bays of shopping malls in Quezon City, Makati and Mandaluyong to randomly check taxi drivers who snub passengers.
Inton stressed that the practice is a violation of the franchise granted to public utility vehicles, like taxis, and the operator of the taxi unit can be penalized by a suspension of their franchise while drivers can be fined P5,000 or their drivers’ licenses suspended.
LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez had earlier announced that the agency will set up help desks at major shopping malls for passengers who want to report erring cabbies.
The complainant will be scheduled for a mediation process, and this could lead to a hearing that would take only one to two days.
LTFRB warned that taxi drivers found refusing to convey passengers will also be penalized accordingly, the LTFRB said.
As of Wednesday, only two taxi drivers were apprehended after refusing to convey passengers.
Inton joined inspection of the taxi bay in Ali Mall, Cubao and assisted in helping passengers secure rides.