Bill or Rights of Passengers of Taxis, Tourist Car Transport Services and Other Vechicles for Hire
Filed on August 7, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Public Services; it has sat in committee since September 10, 2025, with no recorded action since then.
The bill addresses widespread issues of passenger abuse in the transport sector.
The bill responds to ongoing issues of passenger safety and service quality in the transport sector.
Bill or Rights of Passengers of Taxis, Tourist Car Transport Services and Other Vechicles for Hire
This bill establishes the rights of passengers using taxis, tourist car transport services, and other similar vehicles for hire, aiming to protect them from abusive practices and improve service standards.
Compared with current law:
Passengers have limited rights and protections.
Passengers will have defined rights and recourse against violations.
Passengers have the right to be served by a properly dressed driver, to be informed of the vehicle's plate number, to pay the metered fare, and to receive assistance if needed, among others.
Source · full text✦ Dashed tags are AI-suggested nuance; solid tags follow the committee taxonomy.
Stalled: the bill has been pending in the committee for over a month with no further developments since its first reading on September 10, 2025.
No floor deliberations yet — this measure has not reached plenary. Its committee-stage actions appear under Legislative history above.
Deat 25 AUG -7 P2:58 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY... SENATE 1110 S.B. No. _ Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE RIGHTS OF PASSENGERS OF TAXIS, TOURIST CAR TRANSPORT SERVICES AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES FOR HIRE EXPLANATORY NOTE For an ordinary Filipino worker, it is more practical to avail of the transpoi services of taxis or other similar vehicles for hire, such as Grab, Anglus, JoyRide, and inDrive, among others, in going to work or elsewhere. Aside from convenience and safety, as compared to other modes of public transportain, wese transport services are also more affordable than buying and maintaining a private vehicle, especially at a time of rising fuel prices. These transport services are most helpful and are in demand during rush hour, holiday season, rainy season, and even during late nights when passenger safety and availability of other modes of public transportation are primary concerns. However, we have seen countless videos and heard sordid stories of passengers who were preyed on or became victims of abusive or negligent drivers of taxis or other similar vehicles for hire. Instead of convenience or cost savings, many passengers have experienced being refused carriage depending on the destination, forced to pay an extra amount on top of the metered fare, or were tricked into going on longer routes in order
to drive up the rates. There have also been numerous reports from tourists who come to our country and have fallen victim to these enterprising drivers. Sadly, these instances have been tolerated and ignored due to the lack of laws sufficiently protecting our commuting public. While Article 1755 of the New Civil Code lays down the required diligence in transporting passengers of common carriers, we still do not have a law establishing passengers' rights to improve the standards of transport services. Thus, to address this problem and prevent any more untoward incidents of this nature, a passenger bill of rights is hereby proposed to protect the commuting public from abusive and discourteous drivers of taxis and similar vehicles for hire, provide sanctions for offenses committed against the riding public, and elevate the standards in rendering transport services. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SOCIO P Offier of tir AUG -7 P2:58 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ] RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1110 S.B. No. _ Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE RIGHTS OF PASSENGERS OF TAXIS, TOURIST CAR TRANSPORT SERVICES AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES FOR HIRE in Congress assembled: Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Bill of Rights of Passengers
of Taxis, Tourist Car Transport Services and Other Similar Vehicles for Hire".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to make available
a world-class transportation system that primarily takes into consideration the safety and reliability of transportation service and integrates and use customer feedback in improving the quality of service. To this end, the State shall establish transportation service standards that shall promote the development and maintenance of safe, efficient and reliable public and private transportation service by establishing the basic rights of passengers of taxis, tourist car transport services and other similar vehicles for hire.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a) Taxi refers to a public utility vehicle as defined and duly franchised by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), offering transportation services to the public for a fee on an exclusive basis; b) Tourist Car Transport Services (TCTS) refers to metered taxi, coupon taxi or rent-a-car transport service duly franchised by the LTFRB that provides transport services to tourists; c) Covered Vehicle refers to any taxi, TCTS or vehicle for hire (VFH) as defined under this Act; d) Multiple Hiring refers to the act of a driver in accepting more than one client in a single journey, whether or not the clients come from the same point of origin; e) Seminar refers to an activity prescribed by the LTFRB or Land Transportation Office (LTO) for erring drivers and operators as a requirement for reinstatement of license or continued operation of franchise; f) Vehicle for Hire refers to vehicles offering transportation services to the public for a fee, regardless of fare-setting mechanism, mode of payment or manner of engagement.
SEC. 4. Standards of Service. - Only a duly licensed professional driver can be
authorized to drive a covered vehicle. All covered vehicles shall be duly registered with the LTFRB, are being operated using the proper license required under the law, and shall be clean, safe, smoke-free, and in good condition.
SEC. 5. Rights of Passengers of Covered Vehicles. - Passengers of covered vehicles
shall have the right to: a) Be served by a driver who is properly dressed and groomed. Operators of covered vehicles should ensure that their drivers wear the prescribed uniform and company identification card (ID) at all times while on duty. In addition, the LTFRB shall issue an official ID to all drivers containing the driver's name and picture, and the operator's information and contact numbers. The
prescribed ID cards must be prominently displayed inside the covered vehicle within the view of the passenger; b) Be served by a courteous driver who shall provide assistance, if requested; c) Be served by a driver who is not under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs; d) Be informed of the plate number of the covered vehicle and emergency numbers for assistance by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned agencies by the prominent display of these information on the side door or in any other conspicuous place within the covered vehicle; e) Be picked up and transported to their stated destination, regardless of the length of the journey or traffic condition, by any available on duty driver, subject to applicable traffic regulations; f) Direct the route, or expect the most economical route, except where such route will endanger the lives of the occupants or will cause damage to the covered vehicle; g) Where applicable, view the fare meter that shall be duly calibrated and sealed by the proper authorities; h) Pay the rate exactly as posted in the meter or in the booking application, subject to other government sanctioned fees, such - toll fees, among others, and as may be applicable, not be compuied to pay a fixed rate, which is higher than the regular metered rate, due to heavy traffic and inclement weather; i) Be given the exact amount of change; j) Be issued a printed official receipt in accordance with the requirement of the National Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); k) Travel with an animal assistant or portable mobility aid, if passenger is with disability; I) Refuse multiple hiring, unless passengers are informed of such arrangement and consented thereto prior to the trip;
m) A quiet or silent atmosphere throughout the trip upon request; n) Decide on the orientation of air conditioning and lighting systems inside the covered vehicle; and 0) Be provided a substitute vehicle or to be assisted to procure one in case of mechanical or engine trouble or other similar instances that hinder the continuation of carriage. Where substitution of another vehicle by the same operator is available, no additional fare shall be charged against the passenger. However, if substitution is not possible or practical, the passenger shall only pay the amount appearing in the meter less the flag-down fee for meter-oriented fare vehicles. In the case of other covered vehicles, the fare due to the driver of the vehicle being substituted or replaced shall be in proportion to the distance travelled, minus the booking fee, if applicable.
SEC. 6. Vehicle Equipped with a Liquefied Petroleum (LPG) or Compressed Natural
Gas (CNG) Fuel System. - A covered vehicle equipped with a liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas fuel system must display a current Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) issued by the LTO. Operators of covered vehicle running on CNG or LPG must maintain the safe condition of every unit through regular maintenance. A sticker marked "LPG" or "CNG" issued by the LTFRB must be posted to every covered vehicle equipped with an LPG or CNG fuel system, positioned in a clearly visible location as close as practicable to the front and rear registration plates.
SEC. 7. Door Locks. - Every operator shall ensure that each covered vehicle it
operates is equipped with a functioning automatic door lock system. The central lock system of every covered vehicle must be disabled to allow the passenger to open the doors at any time without interference from the driver, with the exception of the rear left door of the covered vehicle which the driver may set on child-lock orientation. The operation of a covered vehicle without the required lock system as prescribed in this Section shall constitute a violation and shall be punishable in accordance with Section 10 of this Act.
SEC. 8. Notification of Passengers' Rights. - The passengers' rights as enumerated
in Section 5 of this Act, as well as the remedies and procedures available to the passenger as promulgated by the LTFRB, shall be prominently displayed inside the covered vehicle. S
SEC. 9. Filing of Complaint for Violation of Rights. - A passenger of a covered vehicle
whose rights have been violated may file a complaint against the driver or operator of the covered vehicle with the LTFRB which shall conduct the investigation and resolve the complaint not later than seven (7) working days after mediation, or seven (7) working 9 days after adjudication, under such rules and regulations as it may provide. The complaint instituted under the provisions of this Act shall not bar the filing of a civil or criminal complaint for violation of any law, rule, or regulation resulting from the same act or omission, whenever applicable.
SEC. 10. Penalties and Fines. - In addition to the penalties imposed by any
applicable law, rule or regulation, the violation of any of the provisions of this Act, shall be punishable as follows: a) Any driver of a covered vehicle who violates the provisions of this Act shall be liable and penalized as follows: 1. First Offense - A fine of One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) and suspension of driver's license for a period of seven (7) calendar days; 2. Second Offense - A fine of Three Thousand Pesos (Php 3,000.00) and suspension of driver's license for a period of six (6) months; and 3. Third and Succeeding Offense - A fine of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) and suspension of driver's license for a period of one (1) year. b) Any operator who violates the applicable provisions of this Act shall pay the same amount of fines as prescribed in the foregoing paragraph: Provided, That the liability of the operator with respect to the fine herein imposed in the case of an insolvent driver shall be subsidiary.
c) Any person who violates the other provisions of this Act shall be punished with a fine ranging from One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) to Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) for every violation at the discretion of the LTFRB. In all cases, the erring driver or operator shall undergo an education seminar provided under this Act. The attendance by the concerned drivers and operators in such seminars shall be mandatory, failure of which shall be a ground for non-reinstatement of the driver's license of the driver or suspension of the franchise of the operator, as the 9 case may be.
SEC. 11. Special Fund for Education Seminars and Public Information Campaign. -
The fines paid by and collected from the offending parties for violations of this Act shall accrue to a special fund to be held by the LTFRB and shall be disbursed exclusively for seminars of erring drivers and operators as defined under Section 3 and other activities for the implementation of this Act.
SEC. 12. Nationwide Public Information Campaign. - The LTFRB, in coordination
with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), 19 and private agencies and organizations concerned, shall undertake a nationwide 20 information, education, and communication campaign for the attainment of the objectives of this Act. It shall likewise coordinate with the local government units for the purpose of seeking the assistance of citizens groups and community organizations for the promotion of public safety awareness in observance of this Act.
SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the LTFRB, in consultation with the LTO, shall promulgate the this Act. necessary implementing rules and regulations to effectively carry out the provisions of
SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held
unconstitutional, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, issuances, executive orders, letters
of instruction, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, contrary 7 to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,
Reproduced from the Senate document. The official PDF is the authoritative version.