What’s the worst mode of transportation in the Philippines? For a lot of Pinoys, it’s the taxi. Although it offers a modern alternative to the now phased-out jeepney, taxis (and their infuriating drivers) are prone to bringing more headaches for Pinoy passengers. Many Pinoys banded online to express their dismay and enumerate reasons why the government might want to consider pumping the breaks on taxis instead of jeepneys.

The drivers are too picky

Nahirapang umuwi ang mag-asawang ito dahil walang taxi na pumapayag na ihatid sila sa Taguig.

Galing sila ng bakasyon sa probinsya noong holiday season, at bumalik na sa maynila para magtrabaho.

May ilang taxi drivers naman ang hindi namimili ng pasahero. | via… pic.twitter.com/fgp8HdlrYR

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) January 1, 2024

It all stemmed from a viral ABS-CBN News video interview where a woman recounted her many failed attempts to hail a cab. She was coming back to the city after spending the holidays in the province. The woman shared that three taxi drivers have already declined to drive her from EDSA, Taft to Vista Mall in Taguig. Shortly after the interview, the ABS-CBN News reporter helped her flag one down.

“Hindi ba bawal ang hindi magsakay? Report dapat agad sa tamang ahensya and tanggalan ng lisensya at franchise,” said one irate X user.

“Panay reklamo na nababawasan sila pasahero dahil sa grab at iba pang competition pero sila mismo panay tanggi or pangungupal sa mga gusto sumakay sakanila,” said another.

They’d rather haggle than follow the taxi meter

A lot of times it’s not even haggling — it’s straight-up scamming. Ask any Pinoy and they’ll tell you horror stories about taxi drivers forcing them to pay extra and trying to validate the outrageous fare hike with lame excuses. It’s either taxi drivers argue that the drop-off is too far, the traffic is too heavy, or that it’s their last trip for the day. Even foreigners fall victim to these dirty schemes.

“Kinda true! Nagtanong ako kung magkano MOA to QC, 2k agad sinabi sakin tapos tinanong ko bat ang mahal saka kung wala ba siyang metro. Sabi ba naman pumayag na lang daw ako para makauwi na sya. Ending naghintay ako maka-book ng Grab, at least dun 700+ lang,” one X user recounted.

“Halos lahat ng taxi ganyan ang dami nila alibay keso out of way, trapik sa dadaanan, o kaya pag sakay mo sasabihin agad magdagdag nlng daw,” agreed another.

“‘Pag malayo at traffic pa automatic sasabihin ng mga yan “Maam/sir dagdag na lang kayo.” Para san pa yang mga metro niyo kung puro kayo ganyan,” read one post.

Their cars are unmaintained

If taxi drivers are still wondering why Pinoys prefer booking with Grab or going for jeepneys at this point, they need a reality check. Aside from the illegal haggling, lots of Pinoys online also pointed out that taxi cars are old.

“Kadiri sumakay sa taxi TBH. Lalo na yung sapin ng upuan ay tela. Tingin mo, 10 taon nang hindi nalilinis. Sobrang kaunti lang ang well-maintained na taxi. At kung sino yung kalawangin, sila pa yung sobrang arte,” lamented one X user.

It’s a hassle to report them

It’s against the law for taxi drivers to refuse passengers. Senate Bill No. 730, or the Bill of Rights of Taxi Passengers, clearly states that taxi drivers must ferry passengers to their destination, “regardless of the length of the journey or traffic condition.” Violators can face a fine of up to P5,000 with a one-year suspension of their driver’s license. But despite these laws in place, many drivers aren’t bothered.

Why? One netizen answers: “Problema sa LTFRB mahahassle ka pa na papuntahin sa office nila para sa mga hearing at investigation kaya nakakaturn off magreklamo.”

“Back when I wasn’t using Grab yet, I would usually take a cab for my commute. I had a list of plate no. of those na picky about the destination, filed complaints to the LTFRB but who tf has time to attend hearings?!” said another.

Should taxis be phased out instead?

With the current PUV modernization phasing out jeepneys, many Pinoys are convinced the same should be done for taxis, which many argue is much more of a headache.

“Eto dapat ung tinatanggalan nyo ng prankisa eh. Tagal nang pahirap ng mga ito. It’s time na parusahan ung mga yan,” said one X user.

“Mahal mahal na nga ng taxi namimili pa ng isasakay what if sila tanggalan ng prangkisa?” said another.

Some even called the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) out for saying there are “other modes [of transport] like taxis” to meet the demand for public transportation after the jeepney phaseout.

“So the question to government now is, nasaan yung other modes of transportation? DOTr, you’re better than this. #NoToJeepneyPhaseout,” read one post.

“Imagine gaano kahirap mag commute now? Ay gaano ka mahal pamasahe sa taxi. Paano kung di sapat ung pamasahe sa taxi? Ending nyan maglalakad Sila. #NoToJeepneyPhaseout” said another.

Do you agree that taxis should be phased out? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

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