Cebu Taxi Operators Eye Temporary Restraining Order On Fare Reduction

Some taxi operators in Cebu are planning to file a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the implementation in Cebu of a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) order making permanent the taxi flagdown rate of PHP30 nationwide for the first 500 meters.

The LTFRB, set to take effect on March 19, retained the succeeding rate of PHP3.50 but increased the distance from every 300 meters to every 500 meters.

The LTFRB also set the rate of PHP3.50 for the waiting time per 90 seconds.

Ryan Benjamin Yu, general manager and president of the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-purpose Cooperative (Citrasco), said the new rate is disadvantageous to taxi drivers in Cebu.

He said most passengers in the city travel short distances only.

As this developed, Rep. Manuel Iway (1st district, Negros Oriental), the petitioner for the taxi fare reduction, said he was not satisfied with the LTFRB decision.

Iway, a Cebuano who is running for congressman under Abang Lingkod Party-List, which represents farmers, fishermen and workers, said the LTFRB should have approved his petition to reduce the succeeding taxi rate from PHP3.50 to PHP2.50 for the first 300 meters because fuel is now cheap.

He said the riding public must enjoy the benefit of the cheap fuel prices in the country.

Iway said he may file a motion for reconsideration of the latest LTFRB decision.

Iway said that when the flagdown rate was raised from PHP30 to PHP40, the price of gasoline was PHP48 per liter.

Gasoline prices have since decreased several times and now range from PHP29.90 to PHP37.70 per liter. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS