LTFRB approves new P30 taxi flag down rate

Just less than two months after the jeepney fare rollback, commuters now have something else to celebrate. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recently approved the P10 cut from the current P40 taxi flag down rate.

With the fare adjustment, the flag down rate of regular taxis will now be P30. Passengers will be charged P3.50 for every 500 meters or 90 seconds waiting time. For airport taxis, the rate will be now P60 and P4 per 500 meters and 90 seconds waiting time.

The new rate, which will take effect on March 19, 2016, was based from the recommendations of the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Economic Development Board.

This adjustment is available nationwide with the exception of the Cordillera Administrative Region which will have a different distance rate and wait time. For every 400 meters and 1 minute waiting, Baguio commuters will need to pay P2 on top of the standard rate.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez emphasized that the commuting public should also be able to enjoy the “steady and steep down trend of crude prices.”

As per Department of Transportation and Communication’s Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, non-complying taxis will have to pay P5,000.

Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the fare cut. The Philippine National Taxi Operators Association, Association of Taxi Operators in Panay Inc., and Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association filed a petition, sighting that the board should also consider the increasing price on factors such as cost living and spare parts. They also pointed out traffic congestion and the rapid increase of Uber and Grabcar.