At 2pm, the temperature outside the office registered at 36 degrees, one point more and the result would prove to be catastrophic - I could have been heat wave victim number 3. Our office is situated right beside the Manila Bay but it does not offer much consolation. But when I think about other people whose access to available body of water is limited to the ever-stinking Pasig River or a murky dengue-infested water canal, I consider myself lucky. I have one pictureque Manila Bay sunset to end each sweltering day.
I had been outside my airconditioned cell with C no more than 5 minutes when I felt every drop of liquid in my body had been zapped out. All I could think about was an ice-cold water and halo-halo.
After spending quite a time avoiding Kia taxis known for their oven-like ventillation, we settled for a Nissan unit. A taxi driver once told me that Nissan cars have good cooling units that do not set your temper (or your hair) on fire. But an honest taxi meter was not included in the good positioning. This particular driver was one mean individual who charged us P35 more than our regular fare. (The normal taxi fare from Baywalk to SM Mall of Asia is between P60 to P70. I should know.)
I called the driver’s attention to his overcharging taxi meter. He insisted that it was the correct rate. I paid P105 in full. C got the operator’s contact numbers and called up the office to lodge the complaint. The driver’s boss was apologetic. He explained that there are indeed drivers who would manipulate taxi meters with sticks but he never expected someone from his turf would do such. While we’re enjoying our free halo-halo, Mister Driver will go home with a suspension notice in exchange for P35 he stole from us.
It is a shame that drivers like him would trade a decent living for few bucks he receives from fooling passengers.
See related posts:
Tuesday, 1. May 2007
Hi Ellen,
My bad eyesight forces me to take Cabs and not drive; Most frivers I meet don’t bother with meter tricks and fare games. A decade on TV has given me little anominity.
However in your case- Swapang naman yun ah! as we used to say when I was part of Hoy Gising a number of years back is typical of a ’switch’ on the cab that trips the meter.
Often it’s just a simple on-off-on of power to the meter - which can cause it to jump forward a bit.
Best advice : chose branded cabs - R&E or MGE which pay drivers a flat day rate - and bonus for exceeding the boundry set for the day. Smaller companies often run into
drivers with scemes or owners who are more out for a fast buck.But never generalize - there are many honest, faithful, and good drivers and operators out there.
Several times I have left cell phones, camera bags, even my wallet a couple of times. In all occasions I got the items back. thanks to kind souls who have honest hearts who drive the cabs..
You can file a formal complaint with LTO, the MMDA, or, the PNP. They will most likely impound the taxi - which means a loss of income of a couple of days and fines,
Teaching them a lesson that it’s better to be honest..
LTO
Pasay City District Office
Rodolfo O. Gacelo
16th St. cor. 505 Quirino Avenue Roligon Ctr.,Tambo, Parañaque City 852-5325 / 851-6939
MMDA
Chairman Bayani F. Fernando
Tel. (632) 882-4151 to 77 loc 205; 882-1805; 882-0871; 882-0893
E-mail: chairman_bfmmda@yahoo.com
PNP
24-HOUR LINES DIAL:
(632) 722-2353 / (632) 722-9587
SEND EMAIL:
feedback@pnp.gov.ph
THRU TEXT MESAGE:
Type: PNP message
Send to: 2920
Hope this helps - fight for rights as a consumer - if you feel you have been over charged it is a violation of law. Ipaglaban mo.
Good luck and God bless
Mike Cohen
Wednesday, 2. May 2007
Dear Mike,
First, let me say, “wow”. I used to see you on TV.
Thanks for sharing these numbers as I am in fact clueless as to who to call when the need to nail down abusive taxi drivers and operators is dire. And it is not even Christmas (you know taxi drivers grow their horns during Yuletide). I will keep these things in mind. And yeah, MGE has brand new units. I was able to take one to SM San Lazaro.
Ellen
Thursday, 3. May 2007
good job on reporting this incident to the operator. some of the taxi drivers wouldn’t even set their meters instead ask you to pay a fixed amount.
minsan, wala pang suklian.