P30 flagdown rate for taxis to take effect on March 19
The wait is finally over. On Tuesday, March 8, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced new rates for taxis nationwide starting March 19, 2016. This comes a year after they announced a provisional P10 cut on taxi flagdown rates.
FLAGDOWN DOWN FOR GOOD. Rates for distance and waiting time have also been adjusted.
The new taxi rates are as follows:
| Flagdown |
P30 |
| Distance | P3.50 for first 500 meters |
| P3.50 for every succeeding 500 meters | |
| Waiting time | P3.50 for every 90 seconds |
Airport taxis will also sport new rates:
| Flagdown | P60 |
| Distance | P4 for first 500 meters |
| P4 for every succeeding 500 meters | |
| Waiting time | P4 for every 90 seconds |
Rates for taxis within the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have also been reduced. From P35, the flagdown rate for CAR taxis will now be at P30. The first 400 meters will be charged P2, with P2 being charged per succeeding 400 meter. P2 will also be charged for every 60 seconds of waiting time.
The LTFRB cited dropping oil prices as consideration for new rates. These rates will take effect on March 19, even without calibration and resealing of taxi meters.
Calibration and resealing of taxi meters will start on April 1. Taxis with plates ending in 4, 9, and 2 will have their calibrations in April; those ending in 5, 7, and 0 will be calibrated in May; June will be for taxis with plates ending in 1, 3, 6, and 8.
Operators are to shoulder the calibration cost of P250 per unit. Fuschia-colored taxi meter seals will be used for re-calibrated units. Operators who fail to re-calibrate will be fined P5,000.
Source: Neri Colmenares Facebook page, GMA News Online, Philstar.com, ABS-CBN News, CNN Philippines, LTFRB Chairman Twitter account
Photo courtesy of: Neri Colmenares Facebook page
