Rama opposes more taxis in city, for now

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is objecting vehemently to the request of some malls and hotels for an additional 2,500 taxi units in Central Visayas.

Rama said he is not convinced just yet on the request, stressing that adding this number of taxis would just congest the city streets some more.

“I will not be part of that move. I would, as of now, register my vehement objection until they can present to me data and we will sit down with experts to have a proper study,” he said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board–7 has said it will endorse to its central office the request of some mall and hotel operators here for an additional 2,500 taxi units in Metro Cebu.

It will reportedly endorse the request this week.

These malls and hotel operators have lamented the lack of taxi units during peak hours.

LTFRB-7 director Reynaldo Elnar said it would be the Department of Transportation and Communications that will decide on the request.

Since 2002, an existing moratorium on the issuance of taxi franchise and other public utility vehicles is being followed.

As of now, at least 5,750 taxi units are operating in Central Visayas. Of the total number, 5,700 are operating in Cebu.

Rama said he is wondering where these additional 2,500 taxi units would be placed.

“Susmaryosep, diin man nang dataha? Naa silay lugar asa ipasud? Basig taud-taud moingon sila kinahanglan na tag flyover. Kinahanglan tag skyway. Di man na maoy makasulbar. Kanang ibabaw nga additional road should never be encouraged in a compact city like ours. It should never be even enjoined in a heritage city like ours,” he said.

He said he could possibly consider putting up buses, under the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit or the High-Quality Public Transport System to be operational compared to additional taxi units.

“If they cannot explain, the addition will not be a solution to our problem of congestion,” he said.  —/JMO (FREEMAN)