Orientation
Aurora Boulevard, the direct connection be-tween downtown Manila and the Cubao district of Quezon City, is known for heavy rush hour traffic. The distance from Manila City Hall to Cubao is 8.4 km (5.2 mi).
Taxis the use of meters makes the taxi system in Metro Manila one of the most ef-ficient and best value taxi system in the world.
Nevertheless, the system has its loopholes. Not all meters are well calibrated, some al-low manipulations by the driver and some drivers refuse to put the flag down and later charge exorbitant prices. Those vic-timized by abusive drivers are generally people who are new in Manila, either newly come from the provinces or foreigners.
Those who prefer a hassle free trip in Metro Manila are advised to take an EMP taxi (white with yellow stripes, or R&E taxis (yellow with green stripes); both have good reputations.
Taxis standing by at the airports, at north harbor, and at middle and luxury hotels as well as at mansions often refuse to put down the meter flag or claim the meter doesn't work and then try to overcharge.
Generally, it is cheaper to take passing taxis.
It is a common habit in Metro Manila to wait for Golden, EMP or R&E cabs if one has to go to a new place, and to take any other taxi if one knows what the correct price is. A taxi driver who tries to cheat will generally ac-cept the correct fare if the passenger tells him that he makes this trip every day and always, for example, pays 12 pesos, not 20. If such a statement is correct, it is ad-visable to drop a hint before reaching a des-tination.
Electronic, digital taxi meters are more tamper proof than the mechanical. Actually, there is a standing government order that all taxis have to be equipped with electronic meters before they can get their license renewed. But these digital meters are more expensive. So, the requirement is not en-forced.
It is a common practice to negotiate fares for longer distances when using yellow cabs. Some approximate prices for Metro Manila are: from Ermita to Ninoy Aquino In-ternational Airport, 40 pesos; Ermita to Domestic Airport, 30 pesos; Ermita to Makati, 25 pesos; Ermita to North Harbor, 20 pesos.
It is advisable to have exact amounts for paying cabs because taxi drivers often have no change or pretend to have no change. This is their way of creating a "keep the change" situation.
Flag down rate in Metro Manila is 2.50 pesos, good for the first 500 meters; every succeeding 250 meters cost 1 peso. Waiting time is charged at 1 peso for 2.5 minutes.
For the air-conditioned cabs, the flag down rate is 3.50 pesos for the first 500 meters and 1 peso for every succeeding 200 meters. Waiting time costs 1 peso per 2 minutes.
The passenger is entitled to deduct 1.50 pesos from the fare. This funny situation was created after the last oil price reduc-tion. The taxi operators did not want to ad-just their meters anew when the government reduced the rates, so the deduction system was the compromise. But many passengers do not bother to claim the deduction.
In Metro Manila, taxi cabs can also be hired for provincial trips. Bigger companies have standard rates for cer-tain destinations. Such fixed rates, however, are not paid to the driver directly but at the office of the taxi company where the passenger buys the so-called trip-ticket.
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/philippines/philippines_transport_manila3.htm
