THE City Council during last Monday’s regular session has approved on first reading the proposed ordinance of Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. entitled “Baguio City Taxi Passengers’ Rights Ordinance”.
In the said proposal, Yangot stated that the city has become the favorite tourist destination north of the country and with the recent brand given to the city as one of the most creative cities worldwide by UNESCO, it has now been put in a level at par with other top 16 cities in the world.
Yangot added that in order to be able to sustain the gains our city achieved, thus far, there is a need to adopt measures that would enhance these gains, and one of the area that needs to be given attention is the transport of passengers, domestic or foreign, using taxis as it is one of the most convenient mode of transportation going around the city.
Since taxi is considered as one of the primary means of public transportation in reaching a destination promptly and safely and are mostly in demand during the rainy seasons and late night travels wherein other modes of transportation are unavailable and passenger safety is a primary concern, the alderman explained that it is for these reasons that the said legislative measure is being pushed to guarantee that taxi passengers’ rights are upheld and protected and the standards of public transportation service be raised. In the said ordinance, passengers have the right to be served by a taxi driver who is properly dressed. Taxi companies (including GRAB, etc.) should ensure that their taxi drivers wear the prescribed uniform and company IDs at all times while on duty.
In addition, the LTFRB shall issue an official ID to all taxi drivers containing the driver’s name and picture and the taxi operator’s information and contact numbers. Other rights of the passengers include the right to direct the route, or expect the most economical route, except where such route will endanger the lives of the passengers or will cause damage to the taxi, the right to have a quiet or silent atmosphere throughout the trip upon request, and the right to decide on the orientation of air conditioning and lighting systems inside the taxi among others.