The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to investigate and take action following a viral taxi overcharging incident involving Soobin of Tomorrow X Together during his recent vacation in Cebu.
The agency said stricter measures are being considered to address repeated complaints against taxi drivers, citing the viral incident involving Soobin that put the Philippines in a negative light.
In a vlog uploaded on the group’s official YouTube channel, the K-pop idol recounted how he and a friend were quoted a much higher fare than expected upon leaving the airport.
“We know it will be about P300,” said Soobin in the vlog as they already checked the estimated taxi fare beforehand.
The driver, however, initially asked for P500. “But we checked the app and it’s saying only, like, P300,” he pointed out.
Midway through the ride, the price was raised again. “Did you hear that? I’m reporting this… he said P1,000. I mean, P500 is already pushing it… and then he raises it to P1,000,” Soobin said in the video.
Despite the attempt to double the fare, the duo stood firm. “We agreed on P500 before getting in… but after we arrived, he tried to charge us P1,000,” he said, revealing they ultimately paid only the originally agreed amount.
Following the viral clip, LTFRB chair Vigor D. Mendoza II ordered swift action against the driver and operator involved.
“Enough is enough. Sa kabila ng lahat ng pang-unawa… gagawa pa ng mga kalokohan na naglalagay ng ating bansa sa kahihiyan,” Mendoza said in a statement expressing frustration over repeated complaints.
He added, “I have already instructed… to identify the driver and operator and locate the taxi unit for immediate impounding. We will file criminal charges for violating public service law and estafa.”
The agency said it is now crafting a stricter policy that includes immediate impounding of units and criminal charges against erring drivers, with Soobin’s case serving as a test case.
