If you live within Metro Manila, you know how frustrating and disappointing it is to get a cab, especially during rush hours. What’s more infuriating are the people who drive them. It’s very rare that someone tells me a good story when they ride a cab.
We all know that we are at the mercy of these drivers and because we need to get to our next destination or perhaps it was the only one available at the time, we compromise. Shame on us! We’re all paying customers and we should be treated and respected as one. Hey, if the fare was free, then that’s another story.
It’s about time that we did our part to help change what is currently being done.
A friend posted this form on her blog to start the ball rolling. I quote, “So I thought I’d finally put together this form and find a way how to get it to the proper authority. I’ve been riding cabs for more than ten years now and nothing has changed.” It is her contribution to make things better because she wants change.
If you’ve had enough then I encourage you to use her form. Better yet, you can also send more details through the comments box below or submit it through our Facebook page.
I look forward to your submissions and it’s time to have a better taxi experience, don’t you think?
Jul 20, 2010Here is what I do… I pick cabs that are owned by the big cab companies such as E&E, R&E, MGE, EfE, Sturdy, Pollyanne, Padrino, 9 Stars, etc. You know, the ones with a color scheme. They’re a lot safer, they don’t tend to be picky, and none of those “kontrata” bullshit we all so hate. Also, if the driver shows undesireable behavior you can always report and you’ll be sure that they will reprimand the sob (I know this from experience) just don’t forget to write down the plate/body number and the name… remembering the time of the pick up helps a lot too.
Jul 20, 2010Greg – thanks for posting your thoughts. It’s really disappointing to see this behavior. Some would say that they do this because their boundary is just not enough for day’s work so they do what they can to make ends meet. Though this is understandable on the driver’s part, then I think the owners of these taxi franchises should do something about it.
I’ve noticed that drivers that own their taxi are more courteous and respect their passengers.
Jul 20, 2010PTR – thanks for posting your tip. This will surely help other cab passengers. Though taxi franchises / companies are not always okay. I remember having a bad experience with R&E. But, having said that, you are right by saying that it’s easier to lodge a complaint and writing down the info is very helpful.
Aug 4, 2010Nice post, I for one am not a fan of riding taxis here in the metro. In most case the whole experience out ways the convenience of taking a taxi.
Aug 26, 2010@PTR.. not anymore. count these R&E taxi franchise out. One taxi driver made my blood rose so high that in a snap I banged the taxi door (I know it’s a strong one but it won’t keep that door from breaking, my apologies for that). Reason: he was asking for additional P30 on my way to Ortigas from Kamuning EDSA that cost P85. So adding the P30 makes my fare P110 in total. Dahil daw ma-trapik! I ride the taxi everyday in going to and from work. Pero naman! It’s always traffic in EDSA. UVC 526 is the plate # of that R&E taxi. How come I am able to ride in some taxis who are honest enough to pick me up without asking for additional payment? And these are small taxi franchises for goodness sake.
2:19 AM
Imagine this: Your taxi meter bill is P85 and you hand out P100 expecting to receive a P15 change. But cab driver selectively show you a P50 bill and tells you that it is his smallest bill so he gives you the burden to give him P35 as change for his P50. If you are an occassional taxi rider you could easily dismiss it as donation but if you are a regular rider in the morning, noon and night back and forth, imagine how much the cost for the day will have gone up!
See how complex it has become all because of lack of a system for keeping change/smaller bills. But whose responsibility is it anyway? Is it any different from a commercial establishment who is expected to stack on loose change & smaller bills to give exact change to customers? This mindset must change! ALL CABBIES MUST ENSURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH LOOSE CHANGE IN A CASHBOX as “panukli”. If jeepney drivers diligently give “sukli” to passengers and carry a cashbox, why can’t they? And the more that they should. Why has this remained to be tolerated if we are encouraging honesty & fairness? This is only rampant in Metro Manila. Cab drivers in other cities in the country are still giving exact change.