Taxis of the Philippines
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Taxicabs of the Philippines are one of the modes of transportation in the country. They are regulated by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The taxicabs there vary from models and uses. Most taxicabs have yellow colored license plates, taxi signs, LTFRB Registration number, and taximeter, which is mandatory in every cab.
History
Taxicabs were already in use in the 1970s and 1980s( BUT there WERE implications that taxis were already in 1940's as it was mentioned in the one act play "Wanted: a Chaperone" by Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero), with the Isuzu Gemini being the most prominent model. In the mid-1980s, more models were seen on the road. Models included the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Mitsubishi Lancer, Daewoo Racer, Hyundai Excel and Kia Pride. In the late 1990s, taxi fleets started to use Asian Utility Vehicles (AUV) and vans such as the Isuzu Hilander, Mitsubishi Adventure, Toyota Revo/Toyota Tamaraw FX, Nissan Urvan, Toyota Hiace, Mitsubishi L300, and Kia Pregio - not just because they were cheap to maintain but they offered large seating capacity and offered versatility. Currently, there are scores of taxicab choices, which include the Toyota Vios, Toyota Avanza, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent (Diesel version), and Hyundai Starex.
Regulation
Taxis during the 1990s did not have a color-coding system but in 2001, LTFRB mandated that all taxicabs should be white. Some taxicab companies, however, still use their own colors to distinguish their units while keeping the roof and pillars white. Airport taxis, on the other hand, are yellow. A taxicab has a maximum operational lifespan of 10 years before being pulled out of service.
Each taxicab has its license plate number printed on both quarter panels. The rear of the car has the telephone numbers of the taxicab company and the LTFRB printed to report any reckless driving.
Areas where taxis are used
Aside from Metro Manila, taxicabs are evident in Baguio City, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Iligan City, Davao City, General Santos, Legazpi City, Naga City, Bohol and some parts of the country.
Cars which commonly serve as taxis in Philippines
Ordinary cabs
The most common models are marked in bold.
- Chevrolet Aveo
- Chevrolet Optra - used in Davao City
- Great Wall M4 - used in Subic Bay Freeport Zone
- Honda City - used in Iloilo City
- Hyundai Accent
- Hyundai Matrix - used in Iloilo City
- Isuzu Crosswind - used in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Baguio City, General Santos City and Iloilo City
- JAC Citipony
- Jinbei FSV
- Kia Picanto
- Kia Rio
- Mazda2
- Mitsubishi Adventure - used in Baguio City, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, General Santos City and Iloilo City
- Mitsubishi Lancer
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4
- Nissan Sentra
- Suzuki Alto
- Tata Indigo
- Toyota Avanza - used in General Santos City, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Iloilo City, Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro City
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Corolla Altis - used in Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro City and Iloilo City
- Toyota Innova - used in Baguio City, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Cagayan de Oro City and General Santos City
- Toyota Revo - used in Baguio City
- Toyota Vios - used in Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City
- Toyota Yaris - used in Baguio City
Airport taxis
These taxis are only available in airports in the country, especially in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Special purpose cabs/FX/UV Express cabs
- Ford E-150
- Ford Lynx - used as a Coupon Taxi
- Foton LCV
- Foton Tornado 2
- Foton View
- Hino 300 Series
- Hyundai County
- Hyundai Grace
- Hyundai H-100
- Hyundai Porter
- Hyundai Grand Starex/Starex
- Isuzu Crosswind- commonly used as UV Express
- Isuzu Hilander - commonly used as UV Express
- Isuzu IPV
- Isuzu i-Van - as Isuzu Elf Route Van
- Isuzu N-Series - as Isuzu NHR-PV/NHR Flexi-Truck
- JAC Queen
- JAC Prince
- JAC Princess
- JAC Refine
- Jinbei Haise
- Jinbei Haise II
- Jinbei Bonnethead
- Kia Bongo
- Kia Pregio
- King Long Univan
- Mercedes-Benz MB100
- Mitsubishi Adventure- commonly used as UV Express
- Mitsubishi L300FB Deluxe/Exceed
- Mitsubishi L300 Versa Van - as Mitsubishi L300 Route Van
- Mitsubishi L200FB
- Mitsubishi Fuso Canter
- Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa
- Nissan Urvan - commonly used as UV Express
- Suzuki APV
- Tata Ace - commonly used as UV Express
- Tata Super Ace - commonly used as UV Express
- Toyota Alphard - commonly used as UV Express
- Toyota Coaster - commonly used as UV Express
- Toyota Hiace - commonly used as UV Express
- Toyota Hilux FX - commonly used as UV Express
- Toyota Innova - UV Express and usually as airport Taxi.
- Toyota Revo - commonly used as Mega/Metered/Coupon Taxis and UV Express Cabs
- Toyota Tamaraw FX - commonly used as UV Express share Cabs. Toyota Tamaraw FX that is 13 years old used as UV Express share taxicabs, are to be phased out.[1]
- Xiamen Golden Dragon Sapphire
Discontinued cabs
- Daihatsu Charade
- Daihatsu Hijet
- Isuzu Gemini
- Proton Wira - in Metro Manila only
- Toyota Crown
- Toyota Revo - in Subic Bay Freeport Zone only
Others
Some imported vehicles like the Kia Avella (which is not available locally) are used. They are usually acquired from surplus car dealers.
Current trends
Most older taxicabs are powered by Liquefied petroleum gas due to the high price of gas. Because the LPG running vehicles boil water, due to increasing summer temperatures, taxicabs have their hoods unlatched while in motion to allow more cool air into the engine. This taxi is equipped with manual transmission.
The need for cars fueled by cheaper diesel gave rise to the adoption of diesel cars such as Hyundai Accent for taxi services.
In Media
Taksikab is the titular character of a film by novice independent filmmaker Archie Del Mundo which premiered in 2011. There were three identical Toyota Vios units that were depicted in the film, posed as just one taxi used by the main character. The taxi is used as a metaphor for violence and corruption in the society.