ABUSIVE TAXI. An airport authority (right) was able to intercept Eazy First taxi with plate number ACC 9310 near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Tuesday. The unit was brought to the impounding area at the Nayong Pilipino compound. Last Jan. 27, a food vlogger filed a complaint against the driver of this taxi unit, who charged a fare of PHP1,500 from NAIA terminal 3 to terminal 4. (Photo courtesy of Manila International Airport Authority)
MANILA -- The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Wednesday said Eazy First taxis are now banned in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after one of the fleet's abusive drivers was nabbed by authorities on Tuesday.
Last March 19, MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal made clear that he might no longer allow white taxi queues in the country's main gateway if he would still receive reports about abusive and overcharging taxi drivers.
On Tuesday, Monreal instructed the airport police department to verify the video posted by Mikey Chen, a food video blogger. Monreal told them to get hold of the taxi unit and the driver if Chen's claim is true.
The airport police officers found out that Chen filed a complaint last January 27, saying the driver wanted to charge him and his companions PHP2,300 from NAIA terminal 3 to terminal 4. The report added the driver had agreed to be paid PHP1,500 after some haggling.
Monreal clarified that it might take some time before airport authorities could track the abusive taxi drivers, since the white taxis are not MIAA-accredited. "Also, we cannot impose direct sanctions on them, unlike the accredited ones," he added.
"MIAA does not authorize fixing of rates, charging special fare or any other form of 'tariff'," he emphasized.
Thus, he reminded the passengers to keep the dispatch slips being issued by the airport staff, as the dispatch slip contains the numbers they could contact to report incidents of abuse and overcharging.
Passengers can contact the LTFRB, the airport police department, or the MIAA hotline, which is open 24 hours.
Meanwhile, MIAA said the taxi unit in Chen's complaint is Eazy First taxi with plate number ACC 9310. Authorities were able to intercept this unit driven by another driver near the NAIA. The unit was brought to the impounding area at the Nayong Pilipino compound.
The suspect driver, meanwhile, presented himself to the airport authorities on Tuesday evening, MIAA said. He was issued a violation ticket for contracting, illegal use of matrix, and overcharging. His driver's license was confiscated, and MIAA said formal criminal charges would be filed against him upon Chen's filing of a sworn affidavit.
Monreal once again appealed to taxi drivers to stop taking advantage of the passengers. Earlier, he also requested them to help the government in improving the country's image, saying that a foreigner's impression of the Philippines starts from the airport, where the visitor landed.
Just recently, NAIA has made it to the top 10 "world's most improved airports" in the 2018 World Airport Awards conducted by Skytrax, an international air transport system.
Monreal is hopeful that improvements in NAIA will continue, so it can also make it to the list of world's top airports in the future. (PNA)
