Members of the Baguio City Council have called on the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to come up with parameters in determining taxi online booking rates.
The councilors’ request was prompted by reports of Baguio residents claiming to have experienced “bidding” to be able to book a taxi amid the heavy traffic and congestion during the Christmas season.
Atty. Laird Dionel Urbanozo, a representative of the LTFRB- Regional Office, said the request for the standardization of taxi online booking rates had already been communicated to the central office. Once set, the standardized online taxi booking rates will be applicable nationwide, he said.
Urbanozo said, currently, booking rates are determined by the network transport companies authorized by the LTFRB. The computation of the booking fee depends on various factors such as crowd surge and the passenger’s point of origin to their destination, among others, he said.
Councilors Betty Lourdes Tabanda and Vladimir Cayabas claimed the absence of said parameters may result in unfair practices such as overcharging and bidding.
“Since there are no parameters for booking, it can be the subject of bidding. The highest bidder gets the booking, and this is contrary to public service. If there is an emergency and you are not the highest bidder, what will happen to you?” Tabanda exclaimed.
Meanwhile, Urbanozo recalled that a certain network transport company was recently issued a show cause order by the LTFRB to explain numerous complaints that they overcharge their passengers. This company appeared to be Grab Philippines.
Furthermore, Tabanda mentioned reports of an “unauthorized” online booking application that was used during the holiday season.
Urbanozo said there are only two network transport companies authorized by the LTFRB to offer taxi online booking services in the country. These are MyTaxi.PH Inc. (Grab Philippines) and E-Pick Me Up Inc.
He said the LTFRB is aware of the existence of this online booking application that was not sanctioned by the Board. The application is called InDriver.
Last January 8, the LTFRB released a public warning against the use of InDriver as it is not among the legitimate ride-hailing applications for taxis recognized and accredited by the Board.
Under the LTFRB guidelines, the use of an authorized online digital platform is one of the requirements for calibration, sealing, and release of a taxi unit.
Elmer Mendoza, another LTFRB representative, explained that the use of an online digital platform “minimizes the movement of taxi units and maximizes their operation.”
Meanwhile, Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales expressed sympathy for the commuters who have no capacity to use digital platforms for booking purposes. He stressed that hailing a cab on the street would become more burdensome on the part of senior citizens, less techy people, and the less privileged should taxi online booking become the norm.
The city council urged LTFRB-CAR to conduct information education campaigns in the city on online taxi booking. **Jordan G. Habbiling