THERE has been a significant rise in number of complaints of erring taxi drivers last year, data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) showed.
The agency’s records showed that complaints increased by 43.03 percent in 2015 to 6,944 cases, compared to the 4,855 recorded in 2014.
This data came from the LTFRB’s public assistance and complaints desk annual report which also includes reports from its 24/7 hot line No. 1342 and reports from the social media.
In 2014, the majority of these complaints dealt with drivers who refused to convey passengers (1,012 cases); followed by drivers who have showed rude behavior (946 cases) and drivers who have overcharged passengers (790 cases).
Meanwhile in 2015, there were more drivers who exhibited rude behavior (1,082 cases), followed by complaints of drivers who overcharged (892 cases) and finally drivers who refused to convey passengers (860 cases).
LTFRB Board Member Ariel Inton said the increase in the number of complaints against erring taxi drivers must have been a result of the use of the social media as a venue to relay their complaints.
“The use of the social media helped a lot because communicating has become so much easier. We can monitor and act swiftly on it sometimes, even before an actual complaint is reported,” Inton told the Philippines News Agency.
“We get in touch with the complainant and encourage them to actively prosecute. We want to be proactive,” he added.
Inton also pointed out that the LTFRB hotline number launched last year has also made it easier for complaints to be better accommodated.
“Previously, people would complain about how it takes time before complaints are addressed and how they lose interest in pursuing the complaint. Now, we really want to be on top of this. We don’t want to waste time,” Inton said.
He further noted that, while the LTFRB only had jurisdiction on a public- utility vehicle franchise, it was fortunate for former LTFRB Executive Director Robert Cabrera was named Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief after the resignation of Alfonso Tan Jr.
LTO is responsible for the suspension of driver’s licenses.
Inton earlier expressed interest to pursue a review in the transport agency’s standing orders and memorandum circulars.
He pointed out that such reviews involve the selection and supervision of the drivers by the operators since the burden of the driver’s actions are always blamed on the operators who were granted the franchises.
Stiffer penalties are also being looked into, he said.
Inton said that a review of the so-called boundary system should also be done immediately.