Motoring Today Column: The Premium Taxis

Jun 04, 2019

The Premium Taxis

Who does not know what Uber and Grab means?

Ever since the app-based for-hire vehicle system was introduced years ago, its demand has only grown - despite the higher fares it charges compared to regular taxis and the controversies that have come up to discredit the service.

The support that Grab and Uber have attracted clearly says that commuters are ready to pay more just to get to their destination safely in a more comfortable and convenient manner.

Officially referred to by the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTRFB) as the Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), the app-based system is popular because of many reasons.

The first reason is obvious - our mass transportation system is unpredictable. The trains are always full and train service often suffers a breakdown. The public buses are stalled for long hours on the road because of the terrible traffic. And the regular taxis are not always very comfortable (so many old units have malfunctioning air-conditioning systems, dirty cabins, old seats), and discourteous drivers who choose customers.

On the other hand, the app-based car for hire is very predictable - you "call" for a ride on your mobile phone and you get a reply in a few minutes (except if it is rush hour), you are informed of the cost of the ride, and even the estimated time of arrival to your destination.

On the side, the driver is always courteous and his performance is evaluated through an app. His cabin is clean, the aircon works, the seats are comfortable. And for added safety, the passenger can send his or her location to someone who can monitor the trip.

Finally, the government is responding to the demand for a better ride for commuters who are willing to pay for the higher fare just for the extra service of convenience and safety.

On May 8, 2019, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade signed the guidelines for the "Taxi Modernization Program" which seeks to respond to the needs of the riding public for a safe, comfortable, and reliable public transport service with a reasonably priced option with high-end safety and comfort features.

The highlights of the guidelines is setting a regular salary and benefits for drivers, updated requirements for road worthiness, vehicle reclassification, and free internet access for patrons.

"Our transport modernization program aims to uplift three elements: the safety and comfort of the riding public, the state of road transportation, and the welfare of transport operators and drivers. Through the Taxi Modernization Program, we provide additional options for mobility to the public while giving our taxi drivers regular compensation and benefits," Secretary Tugade said.

The program also seeks to enhance road safety through regular salaries for drivers.

"When our drivers are salaried, they do not need to rush on the road to maximize the number of passengers and flagdowns they could get in a day. We, thus, reduce the risk of road incidence. And, with the amended vehicle specifications for premium taxis, we put on our roads vehicles that are safer and environment-friendly," Secretary Tugade added.

The department order especially sets that all Premium Taxi units shall be at least Euro-4 compliant and air-conditioned. They are also reclassified as either Silver or Gold.

There will be four types of vehicles for the premium taxi service - sedans to be classified as either Silver or Gold;Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPV) andUtility Vans (UV) for Silver Taxis;SUVs and Utility Vans (Premium) as Gold Taxis.

The features of the Silver and Gold Taxis will be determined by the LTFRB, which will include displacement or power rating, leg room and luggage compartment.

The Premium Taxis shall also be composed of new vehicles and the DOTr guideline sets that it shall not be more than three years old upon application of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC). The year model of the unit shall be based on the date of manufacture as reflected in the Certificate of Registration from the LTO.

All vehicles under the program are 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.

Very important to most commuters will be the free internet access which the Premium Taxis are required to offer to passengers, the on-board navigation system (GPS) or mobile-based application, dashboard and occupancy cameras that will record any incidents outside and inside the vehicle.

In a press statement, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said: "Nowadays, improved riding experience is a premium that Filipinos are willing to pay for. And with more modern vehicles plying our roads, we make road transport safer, more reliable and convenient for our passengers."

The Premium Taxi service franchises will soon open in highly urbanized cities outside of Metro Manila.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ray Butch Gamboa graduated from the College of Arts and Letters of the University of Sto. Tomas. It was a course that should have been preparatory to a law degree, but the call of broadcasting aborted his plans.

At the age of 16, while still a student, Butch tried his hand at disc jockeying, landing a job at Mareco Broadcasting Network’s AM stations DZBM and DZLM. From there, Butch moved on with his illustrious career as a popular disc jockey, riding the airwaves of Bob Stewart’s middle-of-the-road music at DZXX, and ending his disc jockeying career at ABS-CBN’s DZYL and DZQL.

From there, he stayed on with ABS-CBN, covering live the proceedings at the Manila Stock Exchange and eventually entered into the world of television sales as an account manager for the premier channel of ABS-CBN Channel 2.

In the early 70’s, at the outbreak of Martial Law, Butch was one of the thousands of professionals who woke up jobless when then President Marcos declared the new status of the nation. With the closure of ABS-CBN, Butch ventured into different fields outside of broadcast. He tried his hand and with ease and success at export (Costume jewelry), real estate (brokerage), and restaurants (fast food).

In 1987, after the revolution, with the broadcast industry back to its free state, and with its irresistible call ringing in his ears, Butch made his inevitable comeback and pioneered in a local motoring show, producing Motoring Today on Channel 4 and co-hosting with local motor sports’ living legend Pocholo Ramirez.

After 4 years, he ventured into another pioneering format by producing and hosting Business & Leisure, which was originally aired on ABS-CBN’s Channel 2. The format eventually espoused similar ones in other different channels. But the clones in due course faded away leaving the original staying on airing on Channel 4 and eventually on Shop TV on Sky Cable’s Channel 13.

The following year, the pioneering spirit in Butch spurred him to produce another TV show, Race Weekend, also on Channel 4, covering circuit racing at the Subic International Raceway after the motor sport’s hiatus of 17 years. But when similar shows with duplicated formats sprouted, he decided to give way and ended the program after a year, although still enjoying unparalleled viewership.

In 1998, when the local automotive industry was in a slump, Butch contributed his share to help the ailing industry by producing another popular motoring-related show, this time exclusive to the automobile and its industry—Auto Focus, which became a vehicle for local automotive assemblers and importers to showcase their products and dwell on the industry’s latest technological developments.

In 2003, Butch teamed up with his brother, Rey Gamboa who was a former Shell executive and presently one Philippine Star’s business columnist to co-produce and co-host the TV show Breaking Barriers on Channel 13. It is a talk show that features guests who are in the news and in the middle of controversies. The program ventures to draw deeper insights into current issues to learn how they impact to our daily lives.

Today, Motoring Today on its 28th year of service to the general motoring public still enjoys its unprecedented loyal vierwership nationwide while Auto Focus, after 16 years has firmly established its niche viewership among automobile enthusiasts and on the other hand Business & Leisure is on its 24th year dishing out current business issues and lifestyle features.

Today, aside from writing weekly columns for the Philippine Star (Motoring Today on Wednesdays and Business & Leisure on Saturdays) and executive producer / host of weekly TV shows (Motoring Today, airs Sundays on Solar Sports Channel 70, Business & Leisure, airs Tuesdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13 and Auto Focus airs Thursdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13, Ray Butch Gamboa is currently the Chairman and CEO of Sunshine Television Production and Marketing Services Corp., President of Gamcor Management and Development Corp., Chairman of Asia-Pacific Realty Corporation, President and Chairman of Socio-Communication Foundation for Asia and Founding Chairman of the Society of Phil. Motoring Journalists (SPMJ)