What can be done about overcharging taxis in Town Center and Festival Mall?

Have you ever experienced being in Alabang Town Center or Festival Mall shopping and having a good time when all of a sudden you get a call and are informed that there was an emergency and you have to go to Asian Hospital immediately? But, you don’t have a car. AND you have several paper bags of items that you’ve just bought.

A thought comes to mind—I can always take a cab!

So you go outside and try to look for a taxi. Wow there are several taxi cab terminals/waiting areas outside!

You approach a driver and tell him where you need to go.

Then he tells you that there’s a fixed price of P200. Game over.

Here are several stories from you, our readers, about the exorbitant fees that these taxis charge our dear commuters:

“We rode a cab last Sunday afternoon at Festival Mall and they charged us P200. We just live nearby. Tsk tsk,” said Krystel Ramirez.

“TAI Taxi has been able to get away with unmetered fixed rates through the years despite public complaints and even media exposure. Looks like someone really powerful is operating the business,” said Joanna Posadas.

“I think to be asked to pay P150 for a cab ride from South Station to Northgate is overcharging. Wala pa talagang P60 yon kung imemetro. Sa Makati nga, nagmemetro mga taxi, dito sa Alabang hinde. If that’s the case, dapat mag-set na lang ng fixed cab fare kung tatagain rin lang. By the way, “taga fare” from San Pedro (United) to Festi is P450. Grrrrr lang talaga,” said Julie Beth Rosel.

“Rare na mga taxi drivers na hindi garapal. A few years back, I was surprised that the fare from ATC until Convergys-Northgate was P120. Imagine that. I understand gasoline prices are up but that does not give them the right to be abusive,” said JayCab Cabrera.

“ATC to Asian Hospital—P250!” exclaimed @MomsieNads

“If those cabs cannot charge passengers fairly, it’d be better to have these terminals slashed off by the mall management,” suggested Elgin Jude Garcia, saying that only those that are in “terminals” do the overcharging.

“GF and I just bought a laptop from ATC. We wanted to ride a cab to ensure our safety. ATC to RFC in Las Pinas—P350?! We rode a jeep,” related Kevin Dayleg.

“ATC to AAV—P250! They should make it reasonable especially when we lose part of ATC parking soon with Rustan’s building! Promote PUVs!” epressed Kevin Choy.

“ATC to BF Homes—P300. Fixed rate daw!” said Oliver Nobuta.

Maybe the mall managements should talk to these “contracted” taxis because the overcharging affects their shoppers directly. Maybe they should protect their customers too by not just ensuring affordable products but also affordable transportation coming from their establishments.

Calling on the mall managements, the LTFRB and the Muntinlupa Traffic Enforcement Office.