The End of Pasaway Taxi Drivers

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When you were in Manila, especially if you ride a taxi, you would have bad experiences, if not the worst one.  It would be common to contract a taxi driver, especially on rush hours, at a higher rate otherwise you would be denied.

Most of the taxi drivers would deny any passenger for the following reasons, inter alia:

1. Traffic; and

2. Relatively Short Distance

Good news that this situation was taken into consideration by our lawmakers.  Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has proposed a bill in the senate that would provide protection to our riding public.  In return, this measure would hopefully deter the abuses done of our taxi drivers.

This bill is the Senate Bill Number 1206 and shall be known as the “Taxi Passenger Bill of Rights Act”.

Accordingly, these are the rights of a taxi passenger, to wit:

1. Be picked up and transported to their stated destination by any available on duty taxi driver, subject to applicable traffic regulation;

2. A fare meter duly calibrated and sealed by proper authorities;

3. A properly dressed and courteous driver who provides assistance, if requested;

4. Travel with an assistance dog or portable mobility aid;

5. A taxi that is clean, smoke free, and in good repair;

6. Direct the route, or expect the most economical route;

7. See the taxi meter;

8. Refuse multiple hiring;

9. Have the air conditioning on or off;

10. See the driver’s identification card, which shall state clearly the driver’s name and the taxi operator’s name, place of business, and contact numbers, and shall contain a picture of the driver.  Copies of such identification card shall be displayed prominently inside the taxi;

11. See the plate number of the taxi and emergency numbers for assistance by the Philippine National Police prominently displayed on the side door and other conspicuous places within the taxi;

12. A quite atmospheres upon request;

13. Pay the rate exactly as posted in the meter, subject to other government sanctioned fees; and

14. A detailed receipt.

This passenger right shall be prominently displayed in the taxi cab.

For failure to observe any of the rights of the taxi passenger aforementioned, any erring taxi driver shall be penalized as follows:

First Violation – a fine of 500 to 2,000 pesos

Second Violation – a fine of 1,000 to 5,000 pesos

Third and Succeeding Violations: a fine of 3,000 to 10,000 pesos and a suspension of a driver’s license and/or the Certificate of Public Convenience for a period of 1 week.

If the driver failed to display these rights as required, he shall be penalized with a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 pesos per violation.

Note: The pictures used herein are taken from Google.