Public Transportation and Intermodal Terminals

[ryanr]

@ Bustero - Yeah, the Avanza is 2/3/2. More space than an Altis or Vios.
Ok, i guess ya'll are right. They should replace the jeepney with other forms of transportation in most routes and keep the jeepney as heritage tourist vehicles in key parts of the metro. Then, have the other thousands of jeepneys from MM move to the provinces.

@ myx - Why were you shocked to see a Vios taxi? The Vios is an inexpensive car, easy to maintain, high fuel milage and has abundant spare parts, it is inevitable that operators will turn them to taxis, despite Toyota voiding their warranty.

@ dvorak - Really? I didnt know some taxis are using LPG as fuel. Thats good news. What make and model are they?

@ wally - I could imagine a series of trams around Manila. That would have been so cool.

[rustyboi]

Originally Posted by GreyX

I think good quality fleets of Toyota Altis, Vios and Avanza is enough for the streets of MM. However, Toyota Philippines is discouraging the use of Altis and Vios as taxis by voiding the warrenty to any used as taxis. They think it degrades its prestige. But come on, they are economy cars! Not only are they fuel efficient they are easy and cheaper to maintain, so they are best as taxis!

There are Altis and Vios taxi cabs in Cebu too. cabs here are very very very well maintained compared to most Manila cabs. based on my experience.

[Dvorak]

@GreyX - I've seen old models with LPG also new VIOS with LPGs too.. mostly MGEs taxis... to date there are only 3 refilling station I think of LPG... it's really neat.. with a switch they can go back and use petrol if their LPG ran out.

Originally Posted by GreyX

@ Bustero - Yeah, the Avanza is 2/3/2. More space than an Altis or Vios.
Ok, i guess ya'll are right. They should replace the jeepney with other forms of transportation in most routes and keep the jeepney as heritage tourist vehicles in key parts of the metro. Then, have the other thousands of jeepneys from MM move to the provinces.

@ myx - Why were you shocked to see a Vios taxi? The Vios is an inexpensive car, easy to maintain, high fuel milage and has abundant spare parts, it is inevitable that operators will turn them to taxis, despite Toyota voiding their warranty.

@ dvorak - Really? I didnt know some taxis are using LPG as fuel. Thats good news. What make and model are they?

@ wally - I could imagine a series of trams around Manila. That would have been so cool.

[AH-7Raja]

RP government should support a project that will install some safety devices on all kinds of landbourne Taxis, and they should tap the LTO to make this a mandatory safety procedures. This is to serve both purposes of protecting the driver or the passengers.

I have 3 proposals to make (all should be installed):

1. AMBER-L.E.D. LIGHTS: A very simple safety device should do it and activating it by just pushing a button from inside the vehicle by the driver or by the passengers (1 button at the front and at the rear for passengers). Such as an installation of 2 amber anti-carjacking/harassment LED lights/signal-indicator lights with a written message/sign below it that reads: "Call POLICE when flashing", at both ends (1 front & 1 rear) of the vehicle, where which another or other motorists could see it in an event of carjacking, harassments, or any criminal acts being committed against both the driver and the passengers.

Both devices should be installed professionally with fool-proof technology to avoid any alterations or disconnections.

2. DIVIDER: A cage devider or anything that is made of fiberglass technology, or better yet if possible, some bullet-proof cage, to house the driver for protection from any type of mili-attacks such as knife, or gunshots. This can also be serving the purpose of protecting the passengers from any drivers who are taking advantage of their female passengers. This way a separate electronic/automatic coin or bill dispenser/vending machine, located inside the cage but with its main slot sticking out for the passengers when paying.

3. GPS: Installation of Global Positioning System for an easy tracking and monitoring.

[ryanr]

Originally Posted by AH-7Raja

1. AMBER-L.E.D. LIGHTS: A very simple safety device should do it and activating it by just pushing a button from inside the vehicle by the driver or by the passengers (1 button at the front and at the rear for passengers). Such as an installation of 2 amber anti-carjacking/harassment LED lights/signal-indicator lights with a written message/sign below it that reads: "Call POLICE when flashing", at both ends (1 front & 1 rear) of the vehicle, where which another or other motorists could see it in an event of carjacking, harassments, or any criminal acts being committed against both the driver and the passengers.

Do they have this kind of system in other countries? First time i've heard of such device. Good idea though.

I also think all taxis should have a GPS system. Another reason to why corporate managed fleets is the way to go. They can have a centralised GPS network to keep track of their taxi units.

[AH-7Raja]

Originally Posted by GreyX

Do they have this kind of system in other countries? First time i've heard of such device. Good idea though.

I also think all taxis should have a GPS system. Another reason to why corporate managed fleets is the way to go. They can have a centralised GPS network to keep track of their taxi units.

i wish it was my original idea but its not cuz its a good business though... we've been using that type of device here in canada for more than 5 years now and i believe it originated here too, yes an almost new tech for the americans as well. today all taxis here are equipped with such safety device and became a law more than 5 yrs ago, RP should look onto it.

in RP, we can also do it without dealing with the canadian suppliers of such devices.

it is a very simple device, a filipino businessman can actually make huge money out of this just by looking for an electrician or if anyone who can do it then sell it, even without the help of the government.

the divider is not new in town, we had it before, i dont know today, but if we really do, we need to update it.

GPS is a perfect idea, i just cant wait when RP start installing it on our taxis or even in police cruisers.

again all 3 technologies can be a potential money earners.

[bustero]

That new toyota Avanza looks really cool, apparently they also use it as a taxi model elsewhere. It's also a jv with Daihasu being sold as the xenia!

THe suggesntions above are really good, I'm curious how much they would add tot he taxi, realistically, it cant be that much.

[AH-7Raja]

very cheap my friends, EVEN YOU CAN DO IT THEN SELL IT OR HAVE IT PATENTED for protection so nobody else in RP can copy ur business.

time is gold.

[ryanr]

I have to admit that the Avanza photos are posted earlier are the higher end models. The taxis version will most likely be the watered down version. Sorry i used to have a photo of it, cant find it anymore. But the bumper is black with the plastic/rubber material (dunno what its called).

Yeah, the Daihatsu Xenia (toyota owns majority of Daihatsu) and the Avanza are very successful in Indonesia. Where else are they used as taxis, Bustero?

Anyways...the interior. Good enough for taxis:


@ Raja - woah...i live in Canada Didnt know our taxis have that. Not so sure with Vancouver taxis, though.

[AH-7Raja]

Originally Posted by GreyX

I have to admit that the Avanza photos are posted earlier are the higher end models. The taxis version will most likely be the watered down version. Sorry i used to have a photo of it, cant find it anymore. But the bumper is black with the plastic/rubber material (dunno what its called).

Anyways...the interior. Good enough for taxis:


@ Raja - woah...i live in Canada Didnt know our taxis have that. Not so sure with Vancouver taxis, though.

nice pictures!

oh yeah atleast in ontario, where i live... they got both the GPS and that anti-carjacking Amber signal/indicator-light, but it only serves the purpose of protecting the drivers and not the passengers... well i guess since harassment by the drivers are not an issue here at all, but yeah in RP...

[pau_p1]

I'm not able to read the previous pages.. I think that our taxis doesn't only need any improvement... it should also include the drivers themselves... they should also put the meters on the dashboard rather than the lowest compartment on the car's dashboard... unlike taxis in other countries where you can easily see and trackdown your taxi fare... the meters are hidden behind the gear sticks..

[AH-7Raja]

we need certain laws to be implemented to control and organize these undesirable acts by the drivers, then put an end in their irrational system and unsafe procedures...

[bustero]

uy good busienss prospects and ideas from raj!

Pau , you're quite right about the drivers, specially from a tourism point of view they can really harass the tourst and give the country a bad name!

grey, nice pix, looks ok for a taxi here, I understand they're also popular at least in thailand. probably in ASEAN in the future.

[ryanr]

btw, if anybody needs proof that the Avanza will be used as a taxi, here's an article from philstar:

Toyota to unveil Avanza in Q4 to serve taxi market
By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 03/28/2006

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) plans to introduce the smaller version of the Innova, the Avanza, in the last quarter of this year to possibly serve the commercial taxi market.

According to Atty. Rommel R. Gutierrez, assistant vice president of TMPCs Management Services Office and Corporate Planning Group, Toyota has been trying to discourage the use of its high-end Altis and Vios models as taxicabs.

However, acknowledging that there is a demand for a vehicle to service the taxi-riding market, TMPC, Gutierrez said, is seriously studying the possibility of coming up with a commercial version of the still to be introduced Avanza.

TMPC spokesman Ariel de Jesus admitted that TMPC has been discouraging the conversion of its Altis and Vios models into taxis by voiding their warranties if the vehicles are converted into commercial taxicabs.

Toyota, De Jesus said, does not want to erode the value of its Altis and Vios models by allowing them to be used as taxis.

However, Toyota, De Jesus confirmed, acknowledges the demand for a vehicle to replace the Revo which is being used as a commuter vehicle.

Toyota, De Jesus said, is also discouraging the use of the Innova model as a commercial vehicle.

As such, Toyota is more amenable to allowing the use of the Avanza as a taxi.

The Avanza, which will be imported from Indonesia, is a smaller version of the Innova. The still-to-be-introduced Avanza can also seat up to eight passengers.

In a related development, Toyota said it will start assembling its popular Vios model in the country next year as it discontinues the manufacture of the Altis model.

According to TMPC spokesman Ariel de Jesus, TMPC has decided to assemble the more economical Vios model in the country along with the current bestseller Innova model.

At present, TMPC locally assembles the Camry, the Innova and Altis models.

TMPC last year assembled locally 829 units of the premium Camry sedan, 4,121 units of the Altis sedan and 12,876 units of the Innova.

TMPC imports the Fortuner, Hilux pick-up, RAV-4 sports utility vehicle and Vios models as completely-built-up units.

TMPC is expected to put in additional investments for the assembly of the Vios.

TMPC would then just import the Altis model from Thailand which has a much bigger market for the sedan.

Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. manufactures the Camry, Altis and Vios models in its Gateway facility, while its other facility assembles the Hilux pick-up and Fortuner model at its Samrong facility.

However, Toyota Thailand is projecting an enviable production this year of 460,000 units.

TMPCs production, in comparison, pales at around 25,000 annually, although its Sta. Rosa plant has a 50,000 unit capacity.

[MirageBistro]

Toyota's designs are crazy, good man

[VerticalSingapore]

Taxis in the Phils are still individually owned. It should be by private listed companies, 2 or 3 to compete at the most, and have them rent out their cabs to those individuals who want to operate them. These cab drivers have to follow strict guidelines, else, their license with the company will be forfeited.

It's how they do it in Singapore, and it's safe & efficient. The companies equip their cabs with reliable metres, GPS systems, NETS (debit card) or credit card payment systems, even videoke (well, that's not really necessary).

Importante, nde scrap taxis ang ginagamit, at madaling habulin kung manloloko ang driver.

[FrancisXavier]

Taxis in CDO. Dominated by these Sentras and altis. Taxi companies in CDO are little by little facing out their old corola and sentra units.



Taxi by the slum

[ikra]

Guys i think its important to note that space is also a big importance if we want to go forward.. =) in london buses and taxis have low floorings and special tracks that allows disabled people in wheelchairs to be able to easily get on the city transport. It is a bit sad to see that accessibility to disabled peope in our country is widely overlooked.

and i also think that it is a good thing to have a big space inside to at least allow more space to items and baggage. Anyways, the advantages are there too for women who has strollers for their children... even in the bus there is a place where disabled people and children strollers can position themselves.

jeepneys and our taxis dont offer this accessibility to all the people in the philippines. It is a sad thought really. I think transport is a bit of a mess in the pinas i guess, but that can change soon if we have funds??? I really do not agree with jeepneys as the main form of transport anymore.. although its something of a national pride but its destination now is the museums... lol

[Sou-jiro]

Yeh major revamp of taxis in Manila are urgently needed

i agree that there should 2 or 3 mainline taxi company's in Manila rather than individually owned ones, this will enable the company to Manage the taxis and train they're drivers more profesionally....also if they have Uniforms (though im not sure if they do)...speaking a bit more English would always be nice especially w/tourists.

Alot of Taxi's in Manila are showing they're age too...just look at those sentra's for example and many and not well maintained enough...both inside & outside..(sometimes the aircon wont even work on a hot-humid day!!!!..

There are still some drivers that pick the direction instead of the passengers. Also if you guys listen to some radio station in Manila you will hear a lot of passengers complain abbout alot od drivers attitude...(rudeness, going a longer route swearing etc)....how ever i am not generalising...i've experince both good & bad taxi service in Manila.

Having said the negative...i think they also need to do more to protect the drivers....many of them are easy holdup, or robbery targets..alot of taxis get stolen...They should put those cab barriers for the drivers & have the cabs monitored (thats how it is here in Sydney)...& realistically as i said early...the taxis's are old & not veyr well equiped...well thats my 2 cents

[bustero]

There are a few companies which are not small, at least several hundred taxis. At this point , consolidation still has not come in and perhaps may not at all. In the US, individual y owned cabs are very common in many major markets.