This Blog is an outlet for the random thoughts of an amateur opinionator.
What's an opinionator?
An opinionator is somebody who has power without responsibility, and the ability to spout off on any subject without worrying too much about the consequences of what comes out of the mouth. All you need is an opinion and the opportunity to voice it.
TV is full of professional opinionators. The internet gives the amateur his chance.
> taXi!!!
Author: aLmich
You may have noticed how silent this blog has been even if I have already been in town for 3 days already, and may think of me as a terrible blogger! I’ve been quiet because I’ve been hospitalized the next day I came back but that’s another story [hehehe] and have also been looking for something nice about Baguio to write about. “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything” applies to Baguio and me these days.
However, with all the price increases happening now, it’s but just timely to post something that could at least help us release our frustrations. Here goes…
Why Take a Cab in Baguio?
The taxi service Baguio is pretty good. I wouldn’t say exceptional, like the ones in Singapore, but nevertheless way better than Manila’s, for the following reasons:
1. The taxi drivers give you the exact change.
2. The taxi drivers do not expect tips [so don’t spoil them].
3. Cheaper than anywhere else in the country. The flag down in just Php25.00 for the first 500 meters [plus p10 as mandated of course], I believe, with an additional Php1.50/100 meters. That’s because the cabs here are not air conditioned.
4. It’s a “rider’s” market as the supply of cabs exceeds the demand, so they hardly “choose” their passengers.
5. The cabbies, especially the older ones, are pretty honest. They will generally choose the fastest way to get to your destination, which usually means avoiding Session Road, unless that’s where you’ll be dropped off. They will not take you round and round hoping for a higher fare. They also do not “contract” rates like they do in Manila. Their honesty, though, does not always go as far as returning to you stuff you leave behind, like cellphones.
6. We do have a large supply of taxi cabs so that now they are everywhere all day! It used to be that only Session Road had cabs waiting around for fare at 3am. Now, even ‘remote’ places like Pacdal have cabs available 24/7!
7. Baguio taxis are pretty well maintained. In all my years of commuting I have never once had one break down on me — knock on wood — not even a flat tire. Plus they do get them washed daily [that’s why we have car washes all over the place, even on the streets], and there’s hardly that sickeningly sweet smell of a cheap air freshener that is usually identified with the airconditioned Manila cab.
Pictures will be posted soon.
