Drivers to get salary under new rules for premium taxis

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THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has amended the guidelines for operating premium taxi services. Under the new rules drivers of premium taxis will receive regular salary and benefits as mandated by the country’s labor code.

They must also complete a training program to be conducted by or under the supervision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, as well as wear a uniform. The drivers are required to ferry passengers from “door-to-door” within a specified area, but are not confined to ply a fixed route.

The updated guidelines, called Taxi Modernization Program, were signed by DOTr secretary Arthur Tugade on May 8, the agency announced in a statement released to reporters on May 23.

“Our transport modernization programs aim 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,” Tugade said.

The transport chief noted that salaried drivers have no “need to rush on the road to maximize the number of passengers and flag-downs they could get in a day.” This, he said, reduces the risk of accidents on the road.

“And, with the amended vehicle specifications for premium taxis, we put on our roads vehicles that are safer and environment-friendly,” he added.

Along with driver compensation, the amended guidelines also introduced changes to requirements for premium taxis’ road worthiness and classification.

Vehicles intended for premium taxi accreditation must not be more than three years’ old upon application. These are also required to have all their seats facing forward, must have seatbelts for the driver and all passengers, and must be fitted with driver and front passenger airbags. The vehicles’ windows should be made of clear tempered glass.

Premium taxis should also be equipped with GPS navigation or a mobile-based app, and dashboard and occupancy cameras with continuous recording of the past 24 hours of operation. The vehicles are required to provide passengers with free Internet access.

All premium taxis are mandated to be at least Euro4-compliant and to have air-conditioning.

Premium taxis have been reclassified as either Silver or Gold. Sedans may be classified as either but multipurpose vehicles (MPV) and utility vans (UV) fall under the Silver category. SUVs and premium vans are classified as Gold.

Silver taxis are painted black with silver markings, Gold taxis are painted black with gold markings.

Under the new guidelines the maximum passenger capacity for premium taxis has been increased. Silver sedans are allowed four passengers, MPVs six and UVs seven. Gold sedans and SUVs are permitted only four passengers while premium vans are allowed seven.