THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Friday reduced the flag-down rate of taxis to P30 from P40 effective March 9 as a result of falling oil prices.
Ariel Enrile Inton Jr., one of the LTFRB’s board members, said the fare reduction will apply nationwide after its two-day consecutive publication today until Sunday.
But he said the prevailing rate of P3.50 for every succeeding 300 meters will stay.
“We want to inform the riding public that there will be no issuance of a new fare matrix since the fare cut is just provisional,” Inton said.
“Because of such nature of the order, there is no need for operators to calibrate taxi meters anew,” he said.
He urged taxi drivers to be honest and not to overcharge their passengers. He said the drivers should deduct P10 from the fare on the meter.
“If your taxi fare is P100, you have to pay P90 only,” Inton said.
Quezon City Councilor Jesus Manuel Suntay, president of the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association Inc., said they will soon file an appeal with the LTFRB.
“It’s okay with us if he will be filing a motion,” Inton said.
The LTFRB reduced the taxis’ flag-down rate following the petition filed by Negros Oriental Rep. Manuel Iway on Dec. 17 last year. Iway asked the agency to reduce the taxis’ flag-down rate to P30 from P40 and the P3.50 charge for each succeeding 300 meters be cut to P2.50.