Choosy taxi drivers worsening commuters’ hassle – group

FILE PHOTO: A line of taxicabs in the Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines — Choosy taxi drivers appeared to be adding to the burdens of commuters affected by the ongoing strike of jeepney drivers and operators.

According to The Passenger Forum convener Primo Morillo, the public has difficulty commuting because of the transport strike protesting the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) and the holiday rush.

“Hirap na hirap po talagang sumakay yung mga tao kasi syempre, sabay ‘yung strike, tapos very car-centric ‘yung ating transport system – ’pag wala kang kotse, wala kang sariling motor, kawawa ka talaga, lalo na doon sa mga partikular na mga oras,” he said in an interview with Radyo 630 on Wednesday.

(It’s really hard for people to ride because there’s an ongoing strike, and our transportation system is very car-centric – ‘if you don’t have a car, you don’t have your motorbike, you’re pitiful, especially during specific hours.)

READ: Transport strike disrupts commute in Metro Manila, provinces

“Yung nararanasan natin na tindi ng traffic, tapos sabay mo pa ‘yung hindi makakuha ng masasakyan. Ang isang problema rin, maraming isnaberong taxi [drivers],” he added.

(We’re experiencing heavy traffic and the difficulty of hailing a ride. Another problem is the many snob taxi drivers.)

Morillo said the longstanding problem with taxi drivers ignoring passengers worsens when the demand for cabs increases, just like during holidays and when heavy rain occurs.

He said taxi drivers usually decline passengers when they do not want the destination or the route they will take, while some even ask for an additional fee for the ride.

READ: Piston eyes SC relief on PUV co-op deadline

In such situations, Morillo said passengers may report to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the agency shall impose penalties on the drivers, including franchise revocation.

“Kasi sa totoo lang po, ‘pag nagsimula ‘yung sunud-sunod na pagka-cancel ng prangkisa, talagang mapapaisip ‘yung mga operator na sabihan ‘yung mga tsuper nila at talagang magkaroon ng proseso na hindi uubra ‘yung isnabero lang sila sa kalsada,” he said.

(Because, in truth, when the series of franchise cancellations start, the operators will think about telling off their drivers and have a process in which snob drivers can no longer stay that way.)

However, he acknowledged that filing a report with the LTFRB could be time-consuming and a nuisance for some commuters – that’s why his group is considering offering assistance to aggrieved commuters in filing complaints and asking the LTFRB to make reporting available online.

Transport strike

Meanwhile, Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) President Mar Valbuena said their strike will continue.

READ: PNP to give free rides amid transport strike until December 31

Valbuena said in the same radio program that despite the approaching Christmas, drivers and operators sacrificed to protest the PUVMP and call on the government to allow them to continue their livelihood next year.

On the other hand, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) said the strike is not meant to burden passengers.

“Hindi naman po tayo hahantong sa welga kung walang ganitong mga policy at patakaran na pinatutupad ang pamahalaan,” Piston President Mody Floranda said, also in a Radyo 630 interview.

(We will not be on strike if the government implements no such policies and rules.)

Floranda reiterated that the strike is not only for the jeepney drivers and operators but also for the passengers who will eventually bear the increase in fares once the traditional jeepneys are gone.

Manibela, Piston, and other transport organizations will hold the strike until Dec. 29.