RAMIREZ
The impending implementation of the new taxi fare formula approved by the Land Transformation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) would definitely make taxi operators and drivers triumphant, but regulators failed to consider its effect to the riding public.
With an estimated 30 percent spike from its usual fare rate, depending on how long the travel takes, the new taxi fare scheme would help make commuters find it more practical to buy their own cars especially with the low down payment and monthly amortization promos offered by many car dealers.
If this would be the case, it would have a direct impact in the number of vehicles running on the road, thus contributing to road congestion which would translate to longer travel time for both commuters who are in private vehicles and public transport.
A friend is seriously considering buying a secondhand or a compact car through financing because based on his computation, the expected increase in the taxi fare would result in almost the same monthly spending if he gets his own ride.
The new formula includes the flagdown rate of P40, distance rate is now P 13.50 per kilometer and the running time pegged at P2 per minute.
The old formula used to be the flagdown rate at P40, the distance traveled at P3.50 per 300 meters and the waiting time in case the vehicle stopped during traffic at P3.50 per two minutes.
Of the three elements that form the new taxi fare formula, the running time is objectionable to the commuting public because it means the passengers are solely made to shoulder the cost and losses of opportunities during traffic standstill.
Another questionable aspect in the formulation of the new taxi fare scheme is that the public was never consulted on the matter before it was announced to the public for implementation. I read news every day and have not come across an article about the public consultation.
In the absence of a wide information dissemination soliciting the opinion and suggestion of the commuting public on the new scheme, it is clearly one sided and perhaps would validate allegations that LTFRB is favoring taxi operators over the commuters.
The inclusion of the running time in the new taxi fare scheme would make commuters bear the cost of traffic as if they enjoyed being caught up in road snarl while it compensates the drivers and operators for the time, energy and fuel gobbled in traffic dreadlock.
Government agencies regulating road use must be reminded that traffic congestion is primarily caused by their failure to enforce rules and formulate policies that don’t reflect public sentiment.
The government must come up with a win-win solution to the problem that will benefit both the transport sector and the commuting public like mass transport and road widening and strict implementation of traffic rules.
The government did not see the repercussion that placing the commuters at a disadvantage will result in them being forced to buy new vehicles and increase congestion rather than falling victim to a scheme that obviously failed to consider their interest.