TWO lawmakers have asked the House of Representatives to prioritize the passage of a measure that seeks to stop the abuses committed by some cab drivers.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing said it is about time Congress passed a law to address cases of abuses committed by taxi drivers and operators as well as lift up the image of the taxi industry by establishing standards addressing the basic rights of the passenger.
“If passed into law, our commuting public, foreign or national, tourist or local, shall be protected from the discourteous and unprofessional conduct of some taxi drivers,” said Suansing, one of the principal authors of the substituted House Bill 4016 or “Bill of Rights of Taxi Passengers.”
The bill was approved by the House committee on transportation, chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, last December.
Another author of the measure, former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the abuses committed by erring taxi drivers against their passengers must stop.
In filing her bill, Arroyo acknowledged the State’s policy “to establish a world-class public transportation system.” “To this end, the State shall establish transportation service standards that shall address the basic right of the passengers,” she said.
The bill provides that the Taxi Passengers’ Rights Notification, which enumerates the rights of taxi passengers as well as the remedies and procedures available to them as promulgated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, shall be prominently displayed inside the taxi.
Among the taxi passengers’ rights are the right to: a licensed driver; a courteous driver, who shall provide assistance, if requested; a driver who is not under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs; and a driver properly dressed.
In the case of taxi companies, their taxi drivers shall wear complete uniform and company identification card. The LTFRB shall issue an official ID to all taxi drivers bearing the driver’s name and picture and the taxi operator’s information and contact numbers. Any sanctioned ID must be prominently displayed inside the taxi within the view of the passenger.
Under the measure, a taxi passenger also has the right to: a taxi that is clean, safe, smoke-free, and in good condition; pay the rate exactly as posted in the meter, subject to other government sanctioned fees; be given the exact change; be issued a printed official receipt based on Internal Revenue Code and Bureau of Internal Revenue requirements; see the plate number of the taxi and emergency numbers for assistance by the Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies prominently displayed on the side of the door or in any other conspicuous place within the taxi; be picked up and transported to their stated destination, regardless of the length of the journey or traffic condition, by any available on-duty taxi driver, subject to applicable traffic regulations; and direct the route, or expect the most economical route, except where such route will endanger the lives of the occupants or will cause damage to the taxi.
The bill also provides that a taxi passenger also shall have the right to: travel with animal assistant or portable mobility aid; refuse multiple hiring; a quiet or silent atmosphere throughout the trip upon request; decide on the orientation of air conditioning and lighting systems inside the taxi; and a substitute taxi or be assisted to procure one in case of mechanical or engine trouble or other similar instances that hinder the continuation of carriage in such case, the passenger shall only pay the amount appearing in the meter less the flag-down rate.