NEWSFLASH

25% HIKE IN TAXI RATES

Manila, July 13, 2000 - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced yesterday that starting July 17, air conditioned taxis’ flagdown rate will increase to P25 from P20 for the first 500 meters.

P2 will be charged for every succeeding 300 meters, up from P1, and P2 will be charged for every two minutes of waiting time, also up from P1.

Taxi fares were last adjusted in 1996.

"In adjusting air-conditioned taxi fares three years and six months after the last taxi fare increase on Dec. 12, 1996, the LTFRB took into consideration the welfare and interest of taxi commuters while considering the viability of the taxi industry," LTFRB Chairman Dante Lantin said in a statement.

The increase was based on a petition for a fare increase filed in November by the Association of Taxi Operators in Metro Manila (ATOMM), citing the rising price of gasoline and maintenance costs. While the LTFRB granted the ATOMM's request for a P25 flagdown rate, the board rejected the group's petition for a P2 fare for every succeeding 250 meters.

"The approved new air-conditioned taxi fares constitute an adjustment of 25 percent over the previous fares/rates and only about 85 percent of what the petitioner ATOMM proposed," Lantin's statement said.

Due to last month's petroleum price increases, Metro Manila-based bus operators are eyeing an increase in the minimum fare, to between P5 and P10 from the present P3.

Provincial bus operators are still deciding how much they should ask.

Jeepney groups want their P3 minimum fare raised to P4.