Big Yellow Taxi

I know. 

We've heard it on TV and Radio. We've read it in internet and newspaper and straight from the mouths of the taxi and jeepney drivers. The effects of rising gasoline prices is affecting even those who don't drive.

Gas prices have affected almost everyone and everything. All you hear are complaints. And why nit, it really is damaging and bad. 

Meantime, jeepney drivers have been granted a one-peso increase. Taxi drivers are still waiting. In the meantime, taxi commuters like me are getting enraged with "passes" made by these drivers.

For two weeks straight now, taxis have been asking for more money than what it indicated from the taxi meter. Just the other night, this CROWNSTAR Taxi had its meter "adjusted". It was running at speed faster than Lydia De Vega. I even witnessed it myself. In ten seconds, my fare changed five times.I called his attention and all he said was,  "ay nasira na naman ang metro ko. Magkano ba binabayad mo dun?"

No apologies. No nothing. That creep. Binarat ko talaga. Alam kong mahal ang gas, pero di mo naman kailangan mandaya.

Gone are the days when tipping was optional. Now taxi drivers ask for additional money, no questions asked.

Just earlier, the cab asked for an additional 30 bucks dahil he is lugi ng 300 pesos almost daily. He even brought up the mouths he has to feed and the frustration he has with work. I didn;t care. We all have our own baggages but 30 is a little too much to ask / forcibly ask from you, yes. In fact, that's another taxi's flag down already!!!! 

Or the other versions, "ay sorry, wala akong barya. May P5 lang ako." Good news, your meter reads P72.50 and you are going to be given P5 as change. Nice one. Really nice one. What a way to start your day.  There are many more derivatives to this wala akong change scenario. Gail pointed the right thing to do. Ask for bargain. Don't pay.

It's harsh yes. But more than anything THIS IS PUBLIC SERVICE> why on earth are they leaving their terminals WITHOUT any money in their pocket. I remember this driver even asking me to ADVANCE my bayad to pay for the gas!!! Kapal.

In the meantime, i dread the day that taxi and gasoline prices will continue to rise. What this means simply is that I have to start learning how to drive a gas-efficient car.

Hay.