LTO launches campaign vs. ‘isnabero’ taxi drivers

IN a bid to protect the public against abusive taxi drivers who either charge extra fee or refusing to accept passengers the Department of Transportation and Communications, has formally launched on Thursday its campaign to penalize erring taxi drivers.

Tagged as “Oplan Laban sa Isnabero” the campaign aims to discourage taxi drivers from taking advantage of passengers especially this holiday season wherein some of the drivers are either being selective or charged extra fees to passengers.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Virginia Torres, said LTO personnel have been deployed in various land, sea and air terminals as well as shopping centers and malls where incidents of taxi drivers denying passengers are rampant.

The composite team, Torres said will be visible to all so that passengers can easily approach them for their complaints.

Torres said that taxi drivers have an obligation to serve the public, which is included on the franchise issued to them by the government and denying passenger of service is a violation of their franchise.

Transportation and Communications, Secretary Jose de Jesus on the other hand said that the campaign against erring taxi drivers was launched this season but it will be implemented whole year round.

He added that the launching of the campaign was done to remind the public about the existing drive against erring cab drivers.

To date, more than 1,800 taxi drivers have been apprehended by the Transportation and Communications, department prior to the launching of the campaign. –Jefferson Antiporda, Manila Times