You never know which taxi will have a faster-than-your-average meter...

 

The fixing of taxi meters is common all over Southeast Asia, but it’s a particular problem in Manila, Philippines, especially around Christmas. The problem has gotten so bad that the Manila Bulletin – one of the country’s top newspapers, recently featured an article on the topic. 

The process of fixing a taxi meter is known as “batingting,” and has become so prevalent that meter calibration centres are now common, and thriving, in Manila. They install a gadget that a taxi driver can use to jack up the amount reflected in the meter.

So what rate should you expect to pay? In Metro Manila, taxis should have a 30 peso flag-down rate for the first 500 meters, and an additional 2.50 pesos for each 300 meters thereafter, and for two minutes’ waiting time.

Get this – the Complaints and Public Assistance Group of the Department of Transportation and Communication (that’s a mouthful) reportedly receives about 20 complaints a day on taxi drivers using fixed meters.

In addition, it is also illegal for taxis to refuse to use their meter when conveying passengers, and instead contract the ride (incredibly common in Southeast Asia). 

Operators discovered doing either of these crimes are subject to punishment according to Manila’s laws. Police Chief Alberto Suansing says that taxi drivers who refuse to convey passengers would not only be fined, but impounded. For those found to have fixed meters, the fine would be 1500 pesos, in addition to the suspension of the license of the driver for two months. 

Suansing gave his personal mobile number 0918-9447951 as the hotline for errant drivers. Those who discover they have been had should report the date, time, plate number, taxi company, and the name of the driver.

Keep your eye on that meter!!