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)

New Manila UBE Express Airport Bus

Great news for travellers to the Philippines: there is a new premium express bus service to/from Manila's busiest airport.

An initiative of the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, UBE Express began service at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in February 2016.

The UBE Express operates from Terminals 1, 2, and 3 on two routes: Roxas Boulevard Route (designated stops at Midas Hotel, Hotel Jen, Manila Hotel, Mall of Asia, Entertainment City) and Makati City Route (stops at Glorietta 4 and 5, Ascott Hotel).

The premium bus service flat rate is PHP 300. Automated fare collection and an online booking system are planned. For now, approach the transportation desk personnel curbside at arrivals for assistance.

Each 24 passenger UBE Express bus is equipped with WiFi, closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV), Global Positioning System (GPS) and large baggage compartments. Trained drivers and an on-board attendant man the buses.

"With the introduction of the premium bus service, passengers can expect shorter queues for transport vehicles at the curbside areas of the terminals,” says Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Jose Angel Honrado .

Referred to by locals as NAIA, the upgraded service at Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be appreciated by airport staff, reducing demands for the regular buses and Jeepneys they depend on.

Related resources

Premium airport bus service now available
Taxi prices drop in Manila... or do they?
Manila's latest colorum taxi scam
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) transportation guide
Headed to one of the most dreaded airports? (list includes MNL) - advice from LayoverIdeas
Manila Layover Ideas and Things to do in Manila

Taxi prices drop in Manila... or do they?

All taxis in Manila - in the whole country of the Philippines actually - have been ordered to drop their fares.

The story is that the move is necessary with the reduction in oil prices around the world, but many are speculating that this is an Uber ridesharing countermove. Either way, it's being rolled out quickly (they've even called it "provisional"), and it's causing no shortage of confusion.

Type of signage you're
likely to see in your
Manila taxi
pic @AceGapuz

Here's the lowdown:

• All Manila taxis have been ordered to reduce the starting meter fare by PHP 10
• For Manila airport taxis, this means the starting fare has dropped from PHP 70 to PHP 60
• Elsewhere in Manila, the starting fare drop is from PHP 40 to PHP 30
• For reasons that are unfathomable, the fare drop does NOT appear on the meter!
• It is the driver's responsibility to deduct the PHP 10 off the fare
• There are severe penalties for drivers who do not give the reduction
• Expect the reduction and pay attention to make sure you get the correct rate
• The reduction applies elsewhere in the Philippines as well

It's not hard to see the flaws with this system: how is the traveler to know if the reduction is in place, if their driver does not tell them? With how quickly the change was rolled out, and the fact that it is being called "provisional", the possibility exists for the change to be reversed just as spontaneously (there is a pretty big pushback).

It's also making for some pretty dismal taxi drivers, all of who are taking the hit of the reduced fare. If you have a heart, tip well.

Avoid the hassle: book an Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport private transfer with IHateTaxis!

Related resources:
LTFRB cuts taxi flag-down rate nationwide by P10
Provisional rollback on taxi flag-down rate ‘unreasonable’–taxi operators
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) transportation guide
Manila Clark International Airport (CRK) transportation guide