CLOSE to 300 taxi operators and drivers have expressed opposition to the memorandum circular of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) opening additional franchises for Baguio City and La Trinidad.
The operators and drivers manifested their strong opposition to the opening of additional 200 regular taxi services as well as 200 premium taxis through a letter addressed to the LTFRB Cordillera Officer in Charge Engr. Lalaine Sobremonte on August 9.
In the letter, the taxi operators said: "Additional public vehicles in the city especially taxi services which nature of operation involves constant vehicle movement translates into a worsened traffic situation, higher pollutant emission, added congestion responding to ill effects."
"The high volume of passengers waiting for taxi service along the central business district during peak hours does not at all indicate an inadequacy of taxi units but after delivering their passengers to the different barangays cannot immediately go back to CBD because they are stuck in traffic," the manifesto read.
Previously, LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular 2019-016, which orders the opening of additional taxi franchises of Baguio City and La Trinidad to any point of Cordillera Administration Region.
Taxi operators of Baguio City and Benguet penned the local government of La Trinidad on August 23, asking that the prevailing traffic situation and transportation concerns of the city and the municipality will be properly addressed.
The letters were referred to the committee on public utilities during the Municipal Council of La Trinidad regular session on Tuesday, September 3.