On Honesty & Dishonesty (Transpo Edition)

This is a long overdue blog post.

I’ve intended to publish this while I was still in Cebu. It’s actually a short sharing on #Honesty & #Dishonesty in these five (5) types of transportation in the Philippines.

TAXI – LTFRB set a new calibration scheme for taxis in Cebu. That is a 40 PHP flag down, an additional 13.50 PHP for every kilometer and 2 PHP running for every two (2) minutes waiting in a traffic. This set up though is only applicable if the taxi franchise has calibrated the new meter and has installed the new requirements before using this fare format. As I sat on the taxi and noticed that it has updated with the new system, I asked the driver; (in Cebuano) So, kumusta man ning bag-ong scheme bai? How’s this new scheme bai? (bai – is like “bro”) He said this idea is better for both the driver and the taxi franchise owner, but a bigger expense for the passenger. In fact over the past weeks, his personal experience is that the number of passenger is lower than expected. Nevertheless, he is expecting it to pick up and the riding public will eventually get used to it… Sad for the passenger, better for them. An #honest answer!

TRICYCLE – My house to Gaisano Fiesta Mall will take 15-20 minutes by tricycle (it’s a motorcycle with an attached cart that can accommodate 6-7 persons. #Honesty: Although I know that the fare is 7 pesos, I have intentionally asked again. He said 7 PHP. #Dishonesty :( On the way back, I rode another tricycle, didn’t ask this time and gave the 10 PHP coin, only to end up receiving 2 PHP change. I was surprised but can’t complain because I paid as I went down from the tricycle and it went off fast.

TRISIKAD – Our neighborhood takes around 10-15 minutes walk from the highway to our house. Trisikad makes it shorter. My cousin who visited us for the first time took the “trisikad” (it’s a bicycle that has a cart that can carry 2-3 persons in one round. It’s one way fare is 5 PHP per person. But as he came to the pick up point, there was no other passenger, he was alone and took the trisikad. The driver seemed to recognize that he is a first timer – took advantage and asked for 20 PHP!!!!!! #Dishonesty :(

JEEPNEY – This time, let’s talk about the #honesty that a passenger abides by pure honesty and conscience. Majority of the people in the Philippines have been truthful and trustworthy that they are giving the fare. Of course, some might do the tricks [#dishonest :( passengers!] but I want to emphasize more on the veracious act all Filipinos riding a jeepney. I’ve been outside the country for almost a decade and yet this honest system still works! Hats off to all of those who are reputable and truthful! :)

UBER + GRAB – It is given that using GRAB or UBER will cost more than a taxi. So most drivers tend to choose and sometimes will not take your booking if its out of their way… What my personal experience on the other hand is an #honest driver who willingly explained to me and my friend on the ins and outs of becoming a GRAB/UBER driver (even though his place is north while ours is going south) … Another honest and alarming thought he shared too is that it is a fact that both companies have made Cebu more congested and traffic! :(

So this post resurrected because of my current encounter here in Dubai.

I went out to meet a friend…

To commute in Dubai means you need to take the bus, the taxi and the metro. As I draft this, the dark side has been tempting my mind to use the Silver* card (for the train/metro) but ride in the Gold* cabin. I actually have both and because community service events are way too far from our location, Kokobear and I have intentionally purchased the Gold card for long train minutes or hour/s as applicable. Anyway, of course; “I fought that thought” and did the right thing.

Now I took the taxi going to the first metro stop (@JLT Station) because I’m a bit out of schedule. Took a cab and asked him to drop me to JLT. A couple of minutes before reaching the destination, his meter broke… He didn’t panic, neither do I. He called someone over the phone and although I didn’t understand the whole convo, I know he was asking the cost. As we reach the station, I gave the fare and he was ready with his change. He charged me 16/- AED. I stopped and asked 16? His face changed – a bit worried I supposed. Yes, my friend told me so, he answered. I smiled. Gave him an additional 2 AED, I think it’s 18. Here, thank you for your honesty! I responded and got off.

This simple encounter, made me smile and has reaffirmed my trust to the honesty of humanity. Not that I don’t have, but just a concrete example here.

Praise God for that! 🙏

Be blessed & be God’s blessings!

*Dubai Metro (NOL Card) has color coding metro and bus cards, it has blue, red, silver and gold. Although majority uses Silver – for the general public and Gold – a special cabin that has lesser passenger because it costs double than the regular fare with §the silver card.