Update as of 29th of May 2014
Since I posted this article I never took a yellow metered taxi anymore whenever I arrived from my work or trip abroad with the family. I always availed the coupon white taxi WITH AIRPORT NUMBER. Be aware though that there are also white colorum taxis especially at Terminal 3 that charge exorbitant fare; these colorum taxis look similar with the white coupon taxi with corresponding dispatcher except the airport number painted on the doors. Recently, coming from Tokyo with the whole family, by mistake I thought these taxis were the same with coupon taxis thus when I inquired their dispatcher charged me 2,600 pesos up to San Mateo area. Immediately I searched for the correct coupon taxi and paid the usual amount of 850 pesos plus 150 pesos tip.
Anyway, in case you are not aware, the House of Representatives was urged to investigate the alleged overcharging by yellow taxis at NAIA. See: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/105369/house-urged-to-probe-abusive-yellow-cabs-at-naia
My job requires me to travel every 4 weeks to and fro my country and workplace in Middle East.
I always arrive at NAIA Terminal 1 coming from either Dubai or Doha. Usually, upon arrival at NAIA Terminal 1, I immediately proceed to Nissan Car Rental counter just opposite the metered yellow taxi line near the passengers exit.
However, there were times that due to season number of arrival and traffic, Nissan Car Rental didn't have any available car. In that case, my second option was to take the airport yellow-color metered taxi.
Living in San Mateo area, I always pay a standard fare of 850 pesos to Nissan Car Rental whenever I avail their service whereas for the yellow color metered taxi my fare ranges from 800 pesos to 850 pesos depending on the traffic condition and route.
Last December, I took a yellow color metered taxi due to unavailability of car at Nissan Car rental. The metered taxi driver chose EDSA instead of C5. I agreed even if EDSA would have longer distance because the traffic was heavier at C5 during rush hour; the fare was 814 pesos.
Yesterday, I departed from Dubai at earlier time thus I arrived before 7AM at NAIA T1. Seeing that my favorite car rental was still closed I opted to travel by metered taxi.
The yellow-color-metered-taxi dispatcher would initially issue a dispatch receipt with your name on it and destination. Upon settling inside the metered taxi, I told the driver that I need a receipt from the meter so I can reimburse the fare from my company. To my surprise, he asked for the dispatch receipt instead and told me that he would write the total fare and sign on it. I agreed half-heartedly because I usually receive from metered taxi the small receipt from their meter. Aside from that, the driver asked for additional 200 pesos as tip. I told him that I would give him a tip on top of the fare expecting that the fare would be around 850 pesos. I normally give 1000 pesos to the driver; he keeps the change.
There was a light traffic build-up at Villamor Air Base area but after we have entered C5, I noticed that the distance counter started to go crazy.
If you will notice on a taxi meter, the bottom and bigger display indicate the total fare while directly on top of that you would see the smaller 300 meters counter. Whenever the taxi has traveled 300 meters an additional 4 pesos would be added to the fare.
On the other hand, the top leftmost counter shows the time. When caught in traffic, the top leftmost counter or time starts to increase but when moving the 300 meters counter would be the one decreasing depending on your speed; it is like a countdown timer. Normally, when slowing down, the 300 meters countdown timer should also slow down and when the taxi speeds up the 300 meters timer also follows.
However, yesterday, I observed that even when we slowed down at these places, Market Market,/Eastwood,/Ateneo area, the 300 meters count down timer was continuously counting fast. Upon reaching Tandang Sora, the driver noticed that I was keenly looking at the meter. He immediately flicked his wiper lever causing the 300 meter count down timer to slow down. From Tandang Sora until San Mateo area, the 300 meter timer functioned normally since I didn't remove my gaze on it.
At that moment, I knew that his taxi meter was tampered due to the fact that it was the second time I have ridden a taxi with tampered meter. The first time was with my family coming from SM Fairview many years back. The driver has a hidden button under the carpet and he activate the button by pressing it with his left foot; one press means additional fare.
Upon arrival at home, I told him that his taxi meter was fast thus I demanded the machine receipt and he hesitantly gave it to me. He reasoned out that it was due to traffic however after telling him that I travel every month and I normally pay around 800 pesos he kept quiet. I added that he flicked his wiper lever at Tandang Sora area when he noticed that I was looking at his meter. Embarrassed, he tried to hand me back my change since I paid him 1000 pesos. I simply told him he can keep it.
More than a year back. I remember that due to numerous complains, the metered yellow taxis in the airport were raided and checked by a government agency. I hope they would do that routinely. More so, tourists scammed by these cheating airport metered taxi drivers might think that it might not be fun at all in the Philippines.
In conclusion, some people assume that since OFW's are earning dollars then they have the right to scam these hard working people. They never thought that OFW's suffer homesickness 24/7 whenever they are away from their loved ones, not to mention the hardships they need to overcome in a foreign country. On their part, I can't imagine feeding my family from money taken illegally from unsuspecting individuals. I just hope that our government would try to kick the asses of these unscrupulous drivers trying to earn extra bucks by scamming their passengers.
Few months back when I was in Ho Chi Minh City, the airport taxi driver demanded extra pay on top of the meter fare; I gave in since it was better to demand and negotiate rather than trying to make a fool of yourself by cheating your passenger.
UPDATE:
There is a new modus operandi being perpetrated by Airport's yellow metered taxi. They won't use the taxi meter anymore in case you will travel outside Metro Manila. In my case, upon learning that my destination was Rizal province the taxi dispatcher mentioned that they only use the meter when the trip was within MM. Really? I just took the same yellow taxi a couple of months back and I paid based upon the taxi meter.
Anyhow, we had a contract price of 900 pesos for my trip regardless of the taxi meter fare. Knowing that the fare normally reaches 800 pesos I agreed with the price. Moreover, I noticed that though the taxi was indeed yellow color, it didn't show any mark, number or sign we normally see at Airport's yellow taxis' doors.
Since it was a contracted price, I paid the exact amount. I saved my usual 100 pesos tip.
Next time I would use the white color airport taxi.
Revised 07 May 2013
I arrived at NAIA T1 at around 7 am for my monthly vacation. Knowing that my favorite Nissan car rental wasn't open yet I proceeded immediately to white-color-coupon-taxis parked along the street beside the ramp. I asked for their standard fare for San Mateo trip and to my surprise they have the same rate with Nissan car rental. I paid 850 pesos for the trip and added a tip for the driver.
I would never take the yellow metered taxi again from the airport.
I saw this on my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151228767984024&set=a.477028999023.261136.616804023&type=1&theater
Since I posted this article I never took a yellow metered taxi anymore whenever I arrived from my work or trip abroad with the family. I always availed the coupon white taxi WITH AIRPORT NUMBER. Be aware though that there are also white colorum taxis especially at Terminal 3 that charge exorbitant fare; these colorum taxis look similar with the white coupon taxi with corresponding dispatcher except the airport number painted on the doors. Recently, coming from Tokyo with the whole family, by mistake I thought these taxis were the same with coupon taxis thus when I inquired their dispatcher charged me 2,600 pesos up to San Mateo area. Immediately I searched for the correct coupon taxi and paid the usual amount of 850 pesos plus 150 pesos tip.
Anyway, in case you are not aware, the House of Representatives was urged to investigate the alleged overcharging by yellow taxis at NAIA. See: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/105369/house-urged-to-probe-abusive-yellow-cabs-at-naia
My job requires me to travel every 4 weeks to and fro my country and workplace in Middle East.
I always arrive at NAIA Terminal 1 coming from either Dubai or Doha. Usually, upon arrival at NAIA Terminal 1, I immediately proceed to Nissan Car Rental counter just opposite the metered yellow taxi line near the passengers exit.
However, there were times that due to season number of arrival and traffic, Nissan Car Rental didn't have any available car. In that case, my second option was to take the airport yellow-color metered taxi.
Living in San Mateo area, I always pay a standard fare of 850 pesos to Nissan Car Rental whenever I avail their service whereas for the yellow color metered taxi my fare ranges from 800 pesos to 850 pesos depending on the traffic condition and route.
Last December, I took a yellow color metered taxi due to unavailability of car at Nissan Car rental. The metered taxi driver chose EDSA instead of C5. I agreed even if EDSA would have longer distance because the traffic was heavier at C5 during rush hour; the fare was 814 pesos.
Yesterday, I departed from Dubai at earlier time thus I arrived before 7AM at NAIA T1. Seeing that my favorite car rental was still closed I opted to travel by metered taxi.
The yellow-color-metered-taxi dispatcher would initially issue a dispatch receipt with your name on it and destination. Upon settling inside the metered taxi, I told the driver that I need a receipt from the meter so I can reimburse the fare from my company. To my surprise, he asked for the dispatch receipt instead and told me that he would write the total fare and sign on it. I agreed half-heartedly because I usually receive from metered taxi the small receipt from their meter. Aside from that, the driver asked for additional 200 pesos as tip. I told him that I would give him a tip on top of the fare expecting that the fare would be around 850 pesos. I normally give 1000 pesos to the driver; he keeps the change.
There was a light traffic build-up at Villamor Air Base area but after we have entered C5, I noticed that the distance counter started to go crazy.
If you will notice on a taxi meter, the bottom and bigger display indicate the total fare while directly on top of that you would see the smaller 300 meters counter. Whenever the taxi has traveled 300 meters an additional 4 pesos would be added to the fare.
On the other hand, the top leftmost counter shows the time. When caught in traffic, the top leftmost counter or time starts to increase but when moving the 300 meters counter would be the one decreasing depending on your speed; it is like a countdown timer. Normally, when slowing down, the 300 meters countdown timer should also slow down and when the taxi speeds up the 300 meters timer also follows.
However, yesterday, I observed that even when we slowed down at these places, Market Market,/Eastwood,/Ateneo area, the 300 meters count down timer was continuously counting fast. Upon reaching Tandang Sora, the driver noticed that I was keenly looking at the meter. He immediately flicked his wiper lever causing the 300 meter count down timer to slow down. From Tandang Sora until San Mateo area, the 300 meter timer functioned normally since I didn't remove my gaze on it.
At that moment, I knew that his taxi meter was tampered due to the fact that it was the second time I have ridden a taxi with tampered meter. The first time was with my family coming from SM Fairview many years back. The driver has a hidden button under the carpet and he activate the button by pressing it with his left foot; one press means additional fare.
December Metered Taxi Receipt - 2 hours 20 minutes travel time from NAIA T1 via EDSA to San Mateo area - 814 pesos
Upon arrival at home, I told him that his taxi meter was fast thus I demanded the machine receipt and he hesitantly gave it to me. He reasoned out that it was due to traffic however after telling him that I travel every month and I normally pay around 800 pesos he kept quiet. I added that he flicked his wiper lever at Tandang Sora area when he noticed that I was looking at his meter. Embarrassed, he tried to hand me back my change since I paid him 1000 pesos. I simply told him he can keep it.
Yesterday receipt - 934 pesos for 1 hour 22 minutes travel time from NAIA T1 to San Mateo area via C5 and Tandang Sora; less travel time and shorter distance but higher fare.
More than a year back. I remember that due to numerous complains, the metered yellow taxis in the airport were raided and checked by a government agency. I hope they would do that routinely. More so, tourists scammed by these cheating airport metered taxi drivers might think that it might not be fun at all in the Philippines.
In conclusion, some people assume that since OFW's are earning dollars then they have the right to scam these hard working people. They never thought that OFW's suffer homesickness 24/7 whenever they are away from their loved ones, not to mention the hardships they need to overcome in a foreign country. On their part, I can't imagine feeding my family from money taken illegally from unsuspecting individuals. I just hope that our government would try to kick the asses of these unscrupulous drivers trying to earn extra bucks by scamming their passengers.
Few months back when I was in Ho Chi Minh City, the airport taxi driver demanded extra pay on top of the meter fare; I gave in since it was better to demand and negotiate rather than trying to make a fool of yourself by cheating your passenger.
UPDATE:
There is a new modus operandi being perpetrated by Airport's yellow metered taxi. They won't use the taxi meter anymore in case you will travel outside Metro Manila. In my case, upon learning that my destination was Rizal province the taxi dispatcher mentioned that they only use the meter when the trip was within MM. Really? I just took the same yellow taxi a couple of months back and I paid based upon the taxi meter.
Anyhow, we had a contract price of 900 pesos for my trip regardless of the taxi meter fare. Knowing that the fare normally reaches 800 pesos I agreed with the price. Moreover, I noticed that though the taxi was indeed yellow color, it didn't show any mark, number or sign we normally see at Airport's yellow taxis' doors.
Since it was a contracted price, I paid the exact amount. I saved my usual 100 pesos tip.
Next time I would use the white color airport taxi.
Revised 07 May 2013
05 JUNE 2013
I arrived at NAIA T1 at around 7 am for my monthly vacation. Knowing that my favorite Nissan car rental wasn't open yet I proceeded immediately to white-color-coupon-taxis parked along the street beside the ramp. I asked for their standard fare for San Mateo trip and to my surprise they have the same rate with Nissan car rental. I paid 850 pesos for the trip and added a tip for the driver.
I would never take the yellow metered taxi again from the airport.
08 JULY 2013
I saw this on my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151228767984024&set=a.477028999023.261136.616804023&type=1&theater
Ano ba yan, kung pati yung mga yellow taxis ngayon nangbibiktima na rin saan na lang tayo sasakay? E kahit yung shuttle pa-EDSA wala na rin.
ReplyDeleteOo nga, pero priority ko talaga ay yung Nissan car rental dahil fixed na yung bayad ko na 850 pesos kahit traffic o hindi kasi nga alam ko na marami ng complain dyan sa mga yellow taxi sa airport na tampered yung meter.
DeleteSaan po pwede mag complain para maire-port yung mga abusadong taxi driver na yan?
DeleteSorry. Hindi ko rin alam. Try LTFRB or NAIA management.
DeleteHey, just wanna ask ano po ung contact info nung nissan car rental na namention mo? Pede ba sila ng midnight? Pede din ba mag advanced rent? Thanks.
DeleteSorry, I don't have their contact nos. I believe Nissan car Rental at NAIA T1 is close during midnight. Nothing to worry if you arrive late at night; I suggest you take the white coupon taxi with fixed rate. Avoid those white colorum and expensive taxis. They are those without any identification or number painted on their car bodies. Better ask the security staff inside the airport regarding the location of coupon taxis.
Deletehttp://www.nissanrentacar.com/, eto yung website ng nissan. Pwede mag online reservation.
DeleteI have checked your link. Sad to say, online reservation has been stopped but their car rental offices at all NAIA terminals remain open.
Deleteso better to hire the nissan car... this blog was very helpful for me.. my husband will visit our country, this was his first time to visit here, im just worried that he will have a bad impression for the Filipinos again and shame on me, because im always defending our fellowmen, im always telling that not all Filipinos are like that. But unfortunately, he might see that most of us are like that because of the taxi scams.
ReplyDeleteTry the white airport taxi line. Their rate is by contract so you will know how much the fare even before you board the taxi. They are located just across the road.
DeleteHello Sir! Shalom... are the white taxi cabs cheaper than the yellow ones? Is 800 php the rate from NAIA to San Mateo, Rizal? My daughter lives in Modesta Village and we had to take a taxi cab from NAIA to San Mateo, Rizal.. I just hope the taxi meter will not go crazy and the taxi driver is an honest person... Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI live near near the boundary of marikina city hence the white coupon taxi charges me 850 pesos from naia to san mateo. If I use the yellow metered taxi, I will be paying almost the same assuming its meter is not tampered. My advice for you is to take the white coupon taxi for your peace of mind. Whatever the route and traffic condition you need to pay a fixed amount only.
DeleteHi there, do you know if the Nissan car rental is still open at midnight? We have an arrival time of 11:00 pm coming in from Seoul.. If not, the white taxis are they availble 24/7 and are they safe too? Thanks for the input.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if Nissan car rental at NAIA T1 is open until midnight. You may check their counter at the left side upon exiting terminal 1. Otherwise take the white (coupon) taxis, they are available 24/7. I believe they are safe.
DeleteThis is very helpful to me. I'll be arriving at NAIA terminal 1 and going home to Tandang Sora.
ReplyDeleteHindi ko inaasahang ma experience ko ding maluko sa yellow metered taxi na ito sa T1.
ReplyDeleteMay binigay nmn na coupon indicated ung destinations ko at plate # nung taxi so ayon hawak ko tpos when I get in inside the car hiningi nung driver ur ticket na hawak ko d kuna naalalang kunin dhil sa dami ng kwento nya till makarating kmi sa place ko sa taguig.
Nagulat ako sa binayran ko 850 + tip na 150? Sa sobrang galing nya magkwento nawala sa isip ko na Hindi pla ganun ang pamasahe mula T1 to taguig sb ng ate ko na kakauwi lng din nya abroad na 250+ lng daw ang pamasahe.nung kokontakin ko na sana ung taxi nasa kanya pla ung coupon na binigay skin kaya wla na akong nagawa kundi manghinayang nlng.