By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY—Commuters
that often travel out of the province are excited with the announcement of
taxis that will soon serve the Ilocos Region.
In support of the
Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program of the Duterte administration, the
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board announced the opening of
taxi franchise in Ilocos region.
The LTFRB will
initially open 75 franchises for the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La
Union and Pangasinan.
For an overseas
Filipino worker from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Alma Gaoiran said this is a good
development among Ilocos residents especially those who have no private
vehicles like her to fetch her when arriving at the Laoag International
Airport.
“The presence of taxi
in Ilocos is interesting. It’s more convenient for us commuters when we need to
catch up a flight or when we go to farther destination,” said Ms. Gaoiran who
narrated the inconvenience of riding a tricycle from the Laoag airport to the
city proper and then wait for almost half an hour for a public utility jeepney
or bus to bring her home to Burgos, which is approximately an hour ride from
downtown Laoag.
On July 12, 2019,
the LTFRB Region 1 launched a road show presenting a number of modernized vehicles
which include bus, van and taxi units along the national highway which will
soon serve commuters in the region.
According to LTFRB
Region I Director Nasrudin Talipasan, this is the first time that a taxi will
operate in the region to improve its public transport system.
Pursuant to the
Department of Transportation’s vehicle modernization program, the additional
taxi franchise is in support of the flagship program of the Duterte
administration which envisions a restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally
sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable,
sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations
quickly, safely and comfortably.
Several
cooperative members in Ilocos Norte however expressed dismay about the latest
development as they claimed the LTFRB has not considered their reservation for
taxi franchise application.
“We reserved 15
slots with the LTFRB but we just learned a cooperative from Ilocos Sur with
members from Laoag took our reserved slots,” said a van-for-rent operator in
Laoag also on July 12, 2019.
According to the
LTFRB, the modernization program is a comprehensive system reform that will
entirely change the public land transportation industry. It features a
regulatory reform and sets new guidelines for the issuance of franchise for
road based public transport services. It devolved the function of route
planning to the local government units as they are more versed in the terrain
and passenger demand within their respective territorial jurisdiction.
Under the program,
local government units are required to submit their own Local Public Transport
Plan (LPTRP) as a pre-requisite for the opening of PUV franchises within their
jurisdiction.
The LTFRB will
also conduct studies on route rationalization studies to determine the
appropriate mode, quantity and service characteristics of the public transport
service in each corridor which will make the routes more responsive to
passenger demand and ensure that the hierarchy of roads and modes of
transportation are followed.
If you're looking for the best airport taxi, there are several features you should look for to ensure a comfortable, safe, and efficient ride. Here are some of the most important features to consider:
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Comfort: The taxi should be comfortable, clean, and well-maintained. It should have sufficient space for passengers and luggage.
Safety: The taxi should be equipped with safety features such as airbags, seat belts, and GPS tracking systems.
Experienced Drivers: The taxi driver should be experienced and knowledgeable about the local area, traffic patterns, and the airport. They should also have a clean driving record and be licensed and insured.
Competitive pricing: The taxi fare should be competitive and transparent, with no hidden fees or charges.
Convenience: The taxi service should be easy to book and offer multiple payment options, including cash, credit cards, and online payments.
Customer service: The taxi company should provide excellent customer service, with friendly and helpful staff who can answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Overall, the best airport taxi should provide a reliable, comfortable, safe, and convenient ride at a competitive price, with excellent customer service.
Ilocano Taxi Driver Tomas Bautista from Ilagan, Isabela has a Karaoke On Wheels has been installing on his cab because he has a Videoke Rental Business in Isabela and has been joining singing contests in Isabela for a long time.
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