Push Admin

LTO cracks down on choosy taxi drivers during holiday season

Article (news)

Jeck Batallones and Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt=" ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/12/20/20231220-taxi-via-abs-cbn-news.jpg"/><figcaption>The LTO is cracking down on choosy taxi drivers during the holiday season. Jeck Batallones, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA (UPDATE) — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) launched Wednesday its crackdown on unauthorized public utility vehicles (PUVs) and selective taxi drivers due to a rise in commuters during the holiday rush. Officials from the LTO&#x27;s Law Enforcement Service were dispatched to malls in Metro Manila and other urban areas as part of &quot;Oplan PASAWAY,&quot; according to LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II. Mendoza, interviewed during an operation at a Quezon City mall, noted an increase in complaints against taxi drivers declining passengers during the Christmas season.Alias “Marlyn” told Mendoza that a taxi driver offered her a &quot;fixed&quot; price of P300 from a mall in North Avenue going to another mall along Quezon Avenue also in Quezon City. “Kasi medyo ma-traffic nga daw, pumayag na po ako kasi kailangan naming makauwi eh. Siyempre ‘pag nagmamadali ka ganon talaga eh,” she said. Marlyn said they usually pay around P200 or P100 higher for the said route every time they ride a cab. Mendoza said they will be stricter this time against these illegal practice of some public taxi drivers.“Tama na huwag na nating abusuhin ang ating pasahero, Pasko oo, may konting dagdag, may 13th month pay pero ubos na yun eh. So ang atin talaga, huwag subukan dahil umiikot ang DOTr and LTO at LTFRB para protektahan ang pasahero and we will impose the harshest penalty of the law, otherwise paulit-ulit na lang ‘to,” Mendoza said. He said those caught turning away passengers without cause risk having their license revoked, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board may cancel operators&#x27; franchises.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/20/23/mmda-deploys-2375-traffic-aides-for-christmas-rush">MMDA in close coordination with malls, transport terminals amid Christmas rush</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/19/23/mmda-gears-up-for-possible-carmageddon-ahead-of-christmas">MMDA prepares for possible exodus of passengers ahead of Christmas, long weekend</a></li></ul>Mendoza emphasized that operating or owning a colorum public utility taxi is a criminal offense which is punishable by 5-year imprisonment and a fine of P2 million. He added that unregistered vehicles will be immediately impounded. &quot;To serve as a deterrent, we will have to impose the full extent of the penalties provided for by law. Kung marami silang demerit, marami silang panghuhuli, ang sinasabi ng batas ay revocation of license. Ire-revoke talaga natin yan,&quot; Mendoza said. Despite drivers attributing their actions to worsened traffic, Mendoza emphasized that this is not a valid excuse. &quot;Kasama sa trabaho eh. Kung yung jeep nga lumalarga sa ruta nila kasama sa trabaho yan. Kung &#x27;di nila kaya, wag sila ma-gpublikong sasakyan,&quot; he said. As of 7 p.m. Wednesday, no less than 10 taxi units were flagged down. The LTO plans to continue its operations until the mall closes at 12 midnight.Mendoza said they are also in coordination with the NAIA management to address the issue of overpriced taxi fare racket at airports. “I-sho-show cause order na ho namin yun, in fact we are coordinating with our counter parts in the airport, isa pa yan, yung mga OFW na parating nagiging biktima ng mga contracting of passengers,” Mendoza said. Aside from colorum taxi unit, LTO also apprehended illegal motorcycle taxis or “habal-habal”.According to Mendoza, habal-habal is illegal and a clear violation of the law.<div>RELATED VIDEO</div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Txj6FGg_XG4?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The LTO said those caught turning away passengers without cause risk having their licenses revoked.

LTO cracks down on choosy taxi drivers during holiday season

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

LTO cracks down on choosy taxi drivers during holiday season

Jeck Batallones and Johnson Manabat,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 20, 2023 09:46 PM PHT

|

Updated December 21, 2023 12:27 AM PHT

Read More:

Land Transportation Office

LTO

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board

LTFRB

taxi

public transportation

PUVs

holiday rush

Christmas rush

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.