It's a go for taxi receipts

The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has given the go-signal for the implementation of the issuance of meter receipts to taxi passengers following a Supreme Court ruling favoring the new system.
LTFRB chief Thompson Lantion said he met with taxi operators Friday and they have agreed to proceed with the implementation of the new system.
"Ito naman ay sa kapakanan, hindi lamang sa kanilang hanapbuhay, sa kanilang korporasyon, sa kanilang mga operators, kundi sa kapakanan din ng pangkalahatan, lalong lalo na sa mga gumagamit ng pampublikong taxi," said Lantion.
Some of the operators said they will start the gradual implementation of the new metering system. They said that with the absence of paper-printing meters, they will have to issue receipts "manually".
"We are prepared to adhere with the Supreme Court ruling," said Leonora Naval, president of Association of Taxi Operators of Metro Manila.
Each receipt will have to contain the following information:
1. Name, address and telephone number of the taxi operator
2. Taxi's plate number
3. Date of the trip
4. Actual time when the passenger boarded the taxi
5. Distance of the trip (in kilometers)
6. And the total fare amount
Lantion said the taxi receipts will be issued at no additional cost to passengers. He added that the slip can also be used for transportation reimbursements in companies.
The LTFRB chief said the taxi flag down rate will remain at P30 for the first 500 meters, with an additional P10 to the final cost of the trip.
Lantion said operators who refuse to follow the metering system will be fined P1 ,500 and have their franchise cancelled.
"Hindi naman karagdagang pabigat sa mga pasahero. Ito'y iso-shoulder ng mga operators. Sa mga operator naman, hindi magiging ganoong kalaki ang effect financially," said Bong Suntay, president of the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association Inc. (PNTOA).
Earlier, the taxi operators filed a petition before the Supreme Court to block the implementation of the taxi receipt system. The petitioners were composed of PNTOA: New Qualitrans Inc.; R&E Transport Inc.; ABC Transportation Services Inc.; and, Lucky 8 Transport Services.
The Supreme Court, however, junked the petition as it cited that the system is legal and is intended to "ensure passengers' welfare and safety."-news.abs-cbn.com