Taksi!

Taxi!
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Despite hearing taxi horror stories every now and then, hailing and riding a taxi in Metro Manila and perhaps in most of the Philippines is still quite safe. I have my share of taxi riding mileage from airport taxis, company fleets, and family owned ones. And I could say that 99% of the time, and if you are street smart enough, you are in good hands.

Known Facts

1. As of July 2009, flag down fare of regular (not airport taxis or other special ones) taxis starts at P35 and adds P2.50 every 500 meters or for every two minutes of waiting time.

2. Taxis in the Philippines do not (yet) issue receipts

Uncool Facts

1. It is illegal for taxi drivers to refuse passengers regardless of where they are going - but most do it anyway.

2. If it is Friday night, a pay-day, or a rainy day, chances are you will find a hard time getting a taxi without having to negotiate a fixed fare.

3. Most taxis now use LPG as fuel. Since most vehicles used as taxi are not new, and LPG-conversion kits are used instead of installed by the vehicle maker, the smell of LPG somehow gets in and lingers inside the airconditioned cab.

4. There is an existing law that requires driver and front seat passenger to buckle up. However, it seems they forgot to tell vehicle owners to make sure vehicles have working seat belts.

5. Several taxis do not have working occupied/not occupied lights on the roof and the dashboard. This is supposed to be connected to the fare meter being on or not. If you see a taxi that is occupied but the not-occupied light remains lit, you know that's another fixed price deal.
6. Except for a few (and more senior) drivers I have met, the rest simply would not follow basic road rules or defensive driving. You would wonder how they were ever granted professional drivers licenses.

Tips

1. If the taxi driver opens the window and asks you first where you are going - the next question will be how much fare you regularly pay. Unless you really are in a hurry, I suggest you stop annoying yourself, step away, and hail the next one.

2. Always remind the driver to switch-on the fare meter. It must be the LPG aroma or something as drivers tend to be forgetful these days.

3. Try to ask locals how much the usual fare is to your planned destination. Then make sure you have adequate change. Again, it must be the LPG aroma or something as drivers tend to round-up to the nearest 10s, 50s, 100s, etc if you pay using a large bill.

4. Lock all doors when inside. Not because the driver will invite others to share your ride (which can happen but very rarely), but because unwelcome visitors might want to "borrow indefinitely" your belongings on a stop while waiting for the green light.

5. Please, please say after me, "this vehicle is not my own." I know you won't leave your shiny PSP on a bench in Luneta so don't leave your belongings in the taxi either and expect it to be returned. Just like any other place in the world, not everyone is good.
6. The safest seat is at the back seat facing the driver. Back seats do not usually have seat belts but most front seats do not have working seat belts either.

7. If you are not Filipino and don't look like one, chances are, taxis will come to you. This is not necessarily good. Prepare to negotiate.

8. It is still recommended to ride reputable, company-owned taxis when you are a lady, alone, or when its late at night. Some companies offer 24/7 pick-up service - you pay an additional fee for the convenience. In all cases, make sure you or a friend take note of the vehicle's plate number.

8. Finally, a known fact, an uncool fact, and a tip - Taxi drivers are paid this way: anything in excess of their fixed "boundary" fee during their prescribed working hours is theirs. And they must make sure to return the vehicle washed and with a full-tank of gas. The "boundary" is a fixed taxi-owner's profit in exchange for allowing the taxi driver to use the vehicle.

For example, if the boundary fee is P500 for 12 hours of driving and around P500 for gas top-up; the driver needs to earn P1,000 first before he earns his pay. This naturally pushes the driver to maximize his time, disregarding traffic rules often, and try a few tricks to increase what he gets for every trip.

The situation is bad - both for the stressed driver and the unlucky passengers - but that is the way it is. The tip? Try to cut the driver some slack and avoid pissing each other off. Drivers are human too, and are usually good-natured if you also are to them.

/pnt