A NEW premium taxi service has started operating in Cebu as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 Regional Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said the company KTTS has 120 vans, all of them black, which charge higher fare compared to regular taxis.

He said the premium taxis are classified into two types: silver and gold, based on the color of the name “KTTS” on the body of the vans. The units can accommodate a maximum of eight people, including the driver.

The gold vans, which are bigger than the silver ones, charge a flag down rate of P60. The silver ones have a flag down rate of P50.

Montealto said they opened a bidding for all operators for 500 premium taxi vans but only 350 units were bid.

Of the 350 vans, 120 units were given a probationary authorization to operate since the remaining vans have yet to arrive in Cebu.

“Kinahanglan sila mo comply atong tulo ka prequisite nato which is legal, technical and financial cabability. Kung molusot sila anang tulo, mo qualify sila (They have to comply with the three prerequisites, which are legal, technical and financial capability. If they pass all three, then they will qualify),” Montealto said.

He said the premium taxi vans can be availed using ride-hailing service apps Grab, MiCab, Hirna, and Hype.

The LTFRB requires all premium taxis to have a closed circuit television (CCTV), a dashboard camera, a ride-hailing service app, Global Positioning System (GPS) or Global Mobile Satellite System (GMSS).

Montealto said the GPS and GMSS are used to determine the location of the unit and make sure operators do not exceed their boundaries.

He added that the monitoring can be used in case of crimes or when passengers leave their belongings inside the unit. (JCT)