BOOKSHELVES & VANITIES

I used to take cabs to work a lot back when I worked the early shift at an Ortigas call center. So, I thought that I was experienced enough to avoid taxi drivers of evils. Unfortunately, even after all the measures being taken by DOTC, netizens, etc. , they seem to still exist.

Follow the jump to see our unfortunate cab ride (it's not that bad)... 


It's really not that bad compared to other modus operandi of taxi drivers of the evil kind. The incident covers "over charging". 







The boyfriend had a thing at Trinoma on a Friday evening (November 16, 2012). Naturally, as it was a payday Friday night, there were a lot of people about. The taxi line was really long so we decided to hail a cab by another entrance. This was at the back of the ground floor Starbucks (location is approximate). The boyfriend was really tired so when a cab stopped in front of us, we jumped right in. That was a mistake. I never realized how important it was to have the security guard lead you to your cab, while he takes the cab drivers information (which they do at Trinoma and SM Mall of Asia, if I'm not mistaken).

I asked the taxi driver to get us to C.P. Garcia. As the taxi driver wheeled us around Trinoma, he gently informed us that there was heavy traffic everywhere. It was about 11pm, so I countered that it might not be so bad. He then continued with his traffic report, then dropped the bomb: he wanted +50php on top of our meter. My first thoughts went: get out of the taxi, right now. But my second thoughts said: maybe you can reason with the taxi driver. The third thoughts popped up with: I'm tired. The boyfriend is tired. And he might let you down at a dark evil place even more dastardly than this cab.

The boyfriend started to go very still, which was a scary thing for me as he has a well developed self-preservation instinct. The taxi driver went on that he was on his way to Makati and would not be able to get passengers. Again, I reasoned that there'd still be loads of passengers and that he could drop us off at Philcoa where there would be more people. I asked him if he could lower the +50php "tip" he was asking. He reiterated his earlier statements concerning traffic, Makati, and lack of passengers. His tone was gentle, but, seriously, I teach ESL. I can see past that. 








I made a little bit of small talk so that the taxi driver will:
1)  be convinced to lower his "tip" because I was in a good mood and was giving him a chance to let it go,
2)  realize that we LIVE IN U.P., you know, that place that promotes justice and freedom. And this is your chance to redeem yourself, because I will take decisive action, as I am from U.P. and this country did not pay for half of my stellar education to be duped by a taxi driver of the evil kind. Please. Please. Please do not do evil things.

Alas, this taxi driver would not cease his evil ways. He would not let the +50php go. I successfully managed to calm the boyfriend down enough so that the taxi driver would not end up having the boyfriend's favorite pen stuck in the jugular. I also got my phone out and saved the taxi driver's plate number. Unfortunately, I did not get the operator's name at once. I had to call the number on the cab.  





There was no traffic. At all. And we reached Philcoa in about 10mins. The fare was 75php and I gave him 120php. The boyfriend was still very angry when we got home. So, the very next day, I called the Department of Transportation and Communications Hotline 7890. My call was answered immediately, and my concerns were addressed promptly. After taking down the specifics of the incident, the guy on the DOTC Hotline said that they will send word to the operator of the taxi and they would get back to me. 

Covering all bases, I also called the operator's number. Turns out, that it was Blue Cab. The lady who answered was really nice. She asked for the body number or the plate number. And then, she asked me what happened. She explained that "extra" pay should not be asked by taxi drivers as it is only applicable if I called the taxi beforehand to pick us up. This is a normal and legal thing, as "pick-up services" charges, like delivery charges of food joints. But, the lady continued, it is not ok for taxi drivers to ask this when they were merely hailed. She assured me that they will take disciplinary action against the driver. Because it is against their policy to allow taxi drivers to be dishonorable. Naturally, this is bad for business.