Manila Turns Up The Heat

In late 2014, we wrote about Manila's Latest Colorum Taxi Scam, targeting passengers at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport. 'Colorum' is a Filipino slang term used to refer to illegal vehicles.

Since then, we've reported on numerous Manila transportation developments, including official taxi fare reductions, a new airport bus ( New Manila UBE Express Airport Bus), and the ability for regular taxis to make airport pick-ups (New White Taxi Lanes at NAIA).

It seems are heating up again, with a major crackdown on taxi scams and illegal operators.

In Higher Penalties Await Overcharging Taxis, ‘Colorum’ in NAIA, Page One reports that authorities are imposing higher penalties on illegal “colorum” vehicle operators at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The penalties also extend to taxi drivers of any type - official airport taxis or regular white taxis using designated airport lanes - who scam passengers. Oops, we mean overcharge passengers.

With fines of PHP120,000 to PHP200,000 per violation, up from the previous PHP1,000 fine, it seems they are getting serious.

And it's about time. Manila's main airport has long been plagued with horrendous taxi lines and unacceptable delays at all four of its terminals.

The penalties are even higher for unauthorized bus operators, at PHP1 million per violation. Shady bus operators had been simply absorbing the prior PHP 1,000 as a cost of business, and covering it with passenger fares.


Related resources
Higher Penalties Await Overcharging Taxis, ‘Colorum’ In NAIA -Page One
New White Taxi Lanes at NAIA - IHateTaxis
Taxi Prices Drop in Manila... or Do They? - IHateTaxis
New Manila UBE Express Airport Bus - IHateTaxis
BManila's Latest Colorum Taxi Scam- IHateTaxis


More from IHateTaxis
Avoiding Taxi Scams at Rome's Airports (CIA, FCO)
Avoiding Taxi Scams at Costa Rica's Airports (SJO, SYQ)
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) transportation guide
Manila Clark International Airport (CRK) transportation guide
Dealing with Taxi Drivers

New white taxi lanes at NAIA

A white taxi in Manila

On July 18th, Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) began allowing "regular" white taxis to pick up passengers in the arrivals area.

The measure, considered long overdue by locals and international travellers to the Phillippines alike, is an attempt to reduce long lines for authorized taxi at the country's busiest airport.

"While yellow airport taxis are readily available in the NAIA arrival area, commuters prefer the regular taxis with a flag down rate of P30, resulting in long lines in the departure area, the only area where they were previously allowed. Airport taxis have a higher flag down rate of P70". [source]

The change was made by Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA)'s new general manager, Ed Monreal. Monreal's objective is:

"...to give the passengers the wide option and at the same time address the insufficiency of cabs to accommodate and ferry the number of passengers that need them." [source]

Exempt from the accreditation process required of other airport transportation operators, the regular white taxis will use new designated lanes at all four NAIA terminals. Meters must be used, and passengers are to be given a slip with the taxi plate number, the driver's name, the operator's name and a hotline number.

Related resources
NAIA allows regular taxis to pick up passengers in arrival area - Inquirer.net
Regular taxis could soon be allowed to pick up airport passengers, says chief - Coconuts Manila
Taxi prices drop in Manila... or do they? - IHateTaxis
Manila's latest colorum taxi scam - IHateTaxis
10 Things to Know About Using Taxis in Manila - Badladz (dated, but still highly relevant!)
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) transportation guide
Updates since the above story was written:
LTFRB suspends processing of new Uber, Grab, Uhop applications - Rappler
A nation of criminals? - The Phillipine Star, CTalk (opinion)

Manila's latest colorum taxi scam

Light traffic in Manila
creative commons, wingmarc on Flickr

In late September, a new Manila colorum taxi scam emerged, targetting Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport passengers. 'Colorum' is a Filipino slang term used to refer to illegal vehicles.The incident occured in Makati, one of the 16 cities that make up Metro Manila.

In this latest Manila taxi scam, while travelling, the car's motor suddenly conks out, forcing the driver to pull over. After checking under the hood, the driver beckons for his passenger to get out, to observe or assist in some way.

Once the passenger is outside the taxi, the driver gets back in, miraculously starts the engine, and speeds off with the passenger's luggage and possessions, leaving the passenger stranded.

The entire incident is facilitated by a hidden switch which the driver uses to turn the engine off and on.

Tip: whatever happens, do not get out of your taxi, or if you must, take your valuables with you! Better yet, stick to official taxis.

There has been a crackdown on colorum vehicles (taxis, buses) in Manila since August 2014, taking hundreds of vehicles off the road.

Related resources:

• Makati police warns commuters of new colorum taxi scam
• Manila mayors declare ‘war’ vs colorum vehicles
• Philippine Taxi Operators Charge Uber With ‘Colorum’
• Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) transportation guide
• Manila Clark International Airport (CRK) transportation guide
• Dealing with Taxi Drivers - advice from IHateTaxis
• Headed to one of the most dreaded airports? (list includes MNL) - advice from LayoverIdeas