More passengers file plaints against taxi drivers over P10 flag down cut
MORE taxi passengers have complained against taxi drivers who refused to give a P10 fare rebate after the implementation of the reduced flag-down rate last week.
Regional Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7) hearing officer Atty. Edwin Antepuesto said they will summon eight drivers so they can air their side.
Aside from refusing to give a P10 fare reduction which is tantamount to overcharging, some drivers were also accused of being arrogant.
“Arrogance can still be a violation because it is stated in the franchise that they must be courteous to their passengers,” Antepuesto said in an interview.
Based on the records from LTFRB-7, at least eight complaints have been lodged since Monday.
The complainants identified the body number, plate number or the commercial names of the units and LTFRB-7 identified the operators.
Emil Membrillas, who is in-charge of receiving the complaints, said they will contact the operators so they can provide the LTFRB-7 with the names of their drivers who are the subject of the complaint.
The most serious complaint was the one filed by call center agent Dave Say Horca against SD taxi driver Joel Ramos.
Horca accused Ramos of poking a knife at them when he and his wife asked for a P10 fare rebate.
Both camps attended the hearing last Thursday and were ordered to appear for another clarificatory hearing at the LTFRB-7 office on March 19 at 2 p.m. and bring their respective witnesses.
LTFRB-7 director Reynaldo Elnar said it is still hard for them to resolve Horca’s complaints as he and Ramos gave conflicting statements during the hearing.
The other taxi drivers will also be summoned along with their operators.
If the drivers will own up to their offense, they will be issued inspection report summons (IRS).
However, if the complainant will forgive the erring driver, then the case will be settled amicably although it will also depend on the gravity of the offense.
Usually, the complainant just asks the LTFRB to let the driver off with a stern warning.
Meanwhile, lawyer Antonio Enrile Inton Jr., LTFRB-7 board member is appealing to the drivers and operators to respect the P10 taxi fare rollback.
“The best legal remedy (drivers and operators) is to file a motion for reconsideration instead of arguing against passenger,” Inton told Cebu Daily News.
Inton added that there is no need to recalibrate the meter to implement the rollback since the order is provisional or temporary.
“It was very clear on the provisional order that recalibration is not a requirement on the temporary rollback,” Inton said.
He added that passengers may give tips to drivers and this is not a violation as long as this is voluntarily given.
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