BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Transportation and Communication reiterates to taxi operators and drivers of their obligation to post notice of the P5 discount and to deduct it to the final fare of their passengers indicated in the taxi meter.
DOTC Asst. Regional Director Robert Basco explained that the P5 taxi fare rollback in the flag down rate of taxi in the City took effect in April last year. But still many drivers are not complying both in giving the discount and in posting the notice of discount for the passengers to see.
Said notice is required as a means to prevent or minimize abuses of drivers.
Basco announced that starting Monday, January 25, taxi cabs that do not have the notice will be apprehended and charged which penalty will be P5,000 for the first offense; P10,000 plus impounding of unit for 30 days for the second offense, and P15,000 plus cancellation of franchise for succeeding offense.
DOTC’s “flying squad” will be strict in conducting the said inspection, he said.
Meanwhile, on fare reduction in the region following decrease in minimum jeepney fare in Metro Mania and nearby regions due to cut in diesel and other petroleum products in the world market, Basco said no petition has been filed so far.
The riding public and the jeepney operators association and other consumer groups can file petitions for fare rollback. (JDP/CCD/Gabrielle Tumbaga & Adlyn Senin –PIA- SLU Interns)