(Eagle News)–The Department of Transportation has amended the guidelines for the operation of Premium taxis in the country, with their franchises expected to be opened in in highly urbanized cities outside of Metro Manila.
In a statement, the DOTr said the new requirements–a regular salary and benefits for drivers, updated requirements for worthiness, vehicle reclassification and free Internet access–were outlined in Department Order No. 2019-007 signed by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on May 8.
Under D.O. No. 2019-007, compensation and benefits as mandated by the Labor Code are given to the drivers, along with a training requirement that shall be determined by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
Premium taxi drivers must wear proper uniform, and shall provide door-to-door service, with no fixed route within a specified area.
Under the new guidelines, premium taxis shall also have a maximum age limit or seven years from its year model as reflected in the Certificate of Registration or subject to a Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) Roadworthiness Certificate.
All Premium taxis shall be air-conditioned, and shall be reclassified as either Silver or Gold.
Multi-purpose vehicles and utility vans shall fall under silver taxis, while sport utility vehicles (SUV) and utility vans (Premium) under gold taxis.
“The parameters that define Silver and Gold taxis are upon the determination of the (LTFRB). These include, but are not limited to, displacement or power rating, leg room and luggage compartment,” the DOTr said.
Under the new guidelines, the maximum
passenger capacity for Premium taxis has been increased.
For silver ones, the maximum number is four for a sedan, six for a multi-purpose vehicle, and seven for a utility van.
In gold taxis, only a maximum of four passengers for both sedan and SUVs is permitted, while seven passengers with pilot seats are allowed for the UV.
To promote the safety of passengers, all Premium taxis are also required to have front-facing seats, seatbelts for all passengers and driver, airbags for the driver and front passengers, and windows in clear tempered glass, based on the new guidelines.
Passengers shall also have free internet access for passengers, on-board navigation system (GPS) or mobile-based application, dashboard and occupancy cameras with continuous recording of the past 24 hours of operation.
“Nowadays, improved riding experience is a premium that Filipinos are found to be willing to pay for. And with more modern vehicles plying our roads, we make road transport safer, more reliable and convenient for our passengers,” LTFRB Chair Martin Delgra said.
