Almost every resident in Metro Manila has experienced getting rejected by a cab at least once (or probably a dozen) times in their life.
The excuses for why some drivers get picky with passengers vary from too far, to too close, or just out of the way of where the driver is headed.
While everyone is all-too-familiar with these scenarios, commuter Zyra Natalie Moleta decided to do something about it last week, posting a video on her Facebook account illustrating just how frustrating it can be to get a simple cab ride.
On Thursday, at about 12:30pm, Moleta attempted to catch a taxi from Bonifacio Global City in Taguig to Commonwealth in Quezon City. The trip is approximately 25 kilometers and would take about an hour and half in traffic on an average day.
But she was refused “more than 5 times.” Each time a new cabbie refused her business, she dutifully recorded the incident on her cellphone and posted it on Facebook, where more than 1.5 million have viewed it and 22,000 have now shared it and vented their anger.
https://www.facebook.com/zymangsat/posts/10209562858412638?pnref=story%20
Memorandums issued by the Land Transportation and Regulatory Franchise Board (LTFRB), the agency responsible for regulating franchises of public utility vehicles, dating back as early as 2007, specifically prohibit taxi drivers from refusing passengers or charging them extra to take them to their destinations.
In 2014, the LTFRB increased penalties for violating franchise rules from P5,000 (about $100) for first-time violators; repeat violators face a P10,000 fine and the impounding of the vehicle for 30 days; and a P15,000 fine plus the cancellation of the certificate of public convenience (CPCs) if they violate a third time.
But these sanctions didn’t deter the cab drivers who refused to drive Moleta.
Sorry, pero hindi nakakatuwa ang mga reasoning n’yo pare-parehas kayo ng dahilan eh di n’yo ginalingan ang pagdadahilan, Moleta said in her Facebook post. (I’m sorry, but I’m not satisfied with your reasoning. You all have the same reasoning, why don’t you come up with better reasons?)
“Ilang beses n’yo kami tinanggihan may kasama kaming buntis. Akala ko ba bawal na tumanggi mga taxis?” she continued. (How many times have you guys refused us for a ride? We even have a pregnant woman with us. I thought it was illegal for taxis to refuse passengers?)
In an interview with Top Gear Philippines, she said that she didn’t opt for Uber due to its high surge pricing, and tried to book a ride using Grab, but no drivers would accept her request.
Transportation experts blame the boundary system imposed by the taxi operators for the behavior of these taxi drivers, who have to meet a “boundary”, or rent, for their cab of usually P1,500 before they are able to take any profits home.
While taxi drivers face steep competition from ride-hailing mobile apps like Grab and Uber, most taxi operators still maintain their boundary system.
In 2015, the LTFRB opened its 24/7 complaint hotline for passengers who’ve experienced being refused, overcharged or observe any other violations committed by taxi drivers.
Passengers can also file complaints through their mobile and Viber lines at 09175501242 for Globe subscribers and 09985501342 for Smart/Talk ‘N Text subscribers.
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