DOTC orders taxi plug-down rates lowered

The public will soon enjoy reduced plug-down rate of taxi cabs as the Department of Transportation and Communication Sec. Joseph Abaya announced that the Philippine Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered lower rates due to rollbacks in fuel prices.

Calibration of taxi meters will start April for  plate numbers ending in 2, 4, and 9, while numbers ending in 5, 7, and 0 are scheduled on the month of May, with remaining plates scheduled on June.

From the original P 3.50 per 120 seconds rate for waiting time, it will be down to P 3.50 per 90 seconds.

 Taxi fares will charge P 2 for the first 400 meters, P2 for every succeeding 200 meters and P 2 per 90 seconds of waiting time.

Ordinary cabs will still charge P 3.50 for the first 500 meters.

According to LTFRB, taxi operators who fail to calibrate and seal/reseal their taxi meters, and taxi units that will not follow the new rates will be penalized P 5,000. “The new permanent taxi rates will be effective on 19th of March even if taxi meters are not calibrated and re-sealed yet.”-Abaya said. -- Samantha  Joy Y. Lee