Uber in Cebu City?

[payxibka 10,047]

On 3/30/2018 at 12:49 PM, Balamban said:

People here have pointed me towards using Uber from Nino Airport in Manila.  I just looked at an estimate from Balamban to Cebu Airport and it says 400-500 peso.  That's an amazing price.

 

If my fiancee takes a v-hire and then a cab from the V-hire terminal in Cebu City to the airport it'll cost her 600 peso or more, since she is going to Manila with her Aunt that add even more.

 

Question: Are such rates real?  Might someone who knows share some tips on Uber pitfalls, if there are any?

 

Thanks

I just returned from Cebu.  Use the White cabs (yellow cabs are more money).  They are 40 pesos for the flag drop and 12 pesos per km.  My cab fare from Mactan airport to Liloan was never more than 300 pesos

Edited March 31, 2018 by payxibka

[Hank_ 9,174]

23 minutes ago, payxibka said:

I just returned from Cebu.  Use the White cabs (yellow cabs are more money).  They are 40 pesos for the flag drop and 12 pesos per km.  My cab fare from Mactan airport to Liloan was never more than 300 pesos

That is about the same costs as in Manila.

 

 

[Balamban 113]

a recap and "advice for finding a taxi in the Philippines" from someone who has never used one.

 

Well, my fiancee and her Aunt flew into the Ninoy Aquino Airport and chose a taxi.  Uh, let me rephrase that: A taxis chose them.  "They knew we were from Visayas" she told me.  "Of course, I replied, you and Auntie were speaking Bisayan, they chose you."  Now I'm not sure if the word "they" means much, but why are there two guys in the front of one taxi?  And: "One's arms and neck were covered with tattoos, but they seemed nice."  *sigh*  I could see it coming, and gave all the advice that so many here gave in this thread, but alas, the taxi ride cost 2000 peso, though it should have cost, at most 400-600.  She could not manage to download the Uber or Grab App.  I had hoped Auntie who is 40'ish and who has traveled would be more in the know, but not.  At any rate here are my words of advice summed up from various places, YMMV

 

#A: Use Uber/Grab (Note: Uber “may” close on April 8,2018, but may not the Philipine Competition Commission (PCC) is investigating the Grab purchase of Uber and may stop it under anti-trust rules. 

 

#B:  If you don’t have a smartphone you can use m.uber.com from a computer.  You can choose to pay cash also.  Grab does not seem to have that option.

 

#C:  If Uber is running a person in America CAN arrange and pay for a rider in the Philippines.  Be advised though that if your rider decides they want to go someplace else, such a home at the other end of the Province, you WILL be charged the Full fare.  This has happened many times.  Grab does not have this ability.

 

My advice to my fiancee and Auntie:

 

#1 Have small bills.  If you only have big bills, the driver will NOT give change.  Go to small store buy cheap item, as for small bills or get change from hotel before you leave.

 

#2:  Find, in advance the range of prices to where you are going.  Price to airport  should be 600 or less.  (This for US Embassy area to MNL airport)

 

#3: YOU pick the taxi—if the taxi picks you, you are about to be scammed.  If you look confused and talk in Bisayan you will be identified as a newbie, and you make a good mark to be taken.  A new taxi is better than an old beat-up one, as a general rule.

 

#3a: Photo the taxi, preferably the front so you have license plate.  Do it casually, or even make believe.  Let driver see.  If he asks why you do this say: “My husband is police officer and tells you to do it, I send him the photo.”   A good idea, especially if alone, send the photo to someone.  Nobody is so stupid to harm you if they realize that their identity is known.

 

#4:  When taxi pulls over, open rear door.  Do NOT get in.  Ask if he’ll turn the meter on.  If he argues walk away!!  If he says: “I can’t, against rules—walk away.”  (If he is refusing he is scamming you, so if you get angry leave the door open and walk away, or close it, but do not slam it—driver does not own the cab and does not care.  I've read in some areas you may have to try two or three cabs before one drops the meter flag before you get in.

 

#5 Read #4 again.  The driver may say: “meter rate +20”  or “meter rate +50” or even “meter rate +100 peso”   Your choice, if it’s rush hour and you’re in a rush it might be worth it.

 

#6 Do NOT get in until they have turned the meter on.  Yes, read #4 a third time.   (Note: My fiance often "doesn't listen.")

 

#7 If you do get in and the meter is NOT turned on first the driver will say: “Oh, sorry, I forgot, I give you fair price.”  That is how a 400 peso ride turns into a 2000 peso ride.   Many, Many driver “Forget” to turn meter on 40x a day.  Imagine that.

 

#8  If you can, do not put luggage in the trunk.  If you do have luggage in the trunk, have one of you stay in the back seat UNTIL the luggage is out.  (Note: while this sort of drive away theft does not happen often, it can be disastrous.

 

#9  Use google maps, map the route to make sure his route but do not flash electronics.

 

#10  If the taxi breaks down and pulls over and there just happens to be a taxi waiting there you are IN DANGER.  For this reason tell taxi driver NOT to use phone or text while driving.  It is illegal in Philippines and the driver may be setting you up to be robbed or worse.

 

Above excerpted (mostly) shamelessly from https://badladz.com/12-things-to-know-about-using-taxis-in-manila/  

 

#11  Do not take any food/drink/soda from anyone you do not know.  “Date-rape drug use has a been reported, and travelers should never leave a drink unattended or accept drinks from a stranger.” From 2017 crime report, Manila (US Embassy report). This is a SERIOUS problem in Columbia, but has happened in the Phils.  See US Embassy Report:  https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21253 

 

#12  If you are involved in any sort of accident and are not hurt—pay and leave, as fast as possible.  Or expect to be held up for an hour or two with police.

 

#13  If your driver was safe, courteous, had a nice smelling cab give the driver a decent tip.

 

 

Edited April 5, 2018 by Balamban
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[Hank_ 9,174]

That is solid advice.  And again.. read #4 !!

 

Yup you can pay cash with Grab.

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

I just grab a PNP and let them deal with taxi drivers who don't want to use a meter.

 

In Manila I have more than once got out of the taxi after he tried to take a long way to get to a destination, Not much they can do about it from my experience.  Taxi drivers in Manila are top of the list for scammers.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

39 minutes ago, Chris Duffy said:

I just grab a PNP and let them deal with taxi drivers who don't want to use a meter.

 

In Manila I have more than once got out of the taxi after he tried to take a long way to get to a destination, Not much they can do about it from my experience.  Taxi drivers in Manila are top of the list for scammers.

Seriously I have done this before as well. I have also called out a taxi driver before for going the long to get to the airport and thus costing more. He was trying to pull a sly one by taking me the long way from Victoria mall to DVO and the price should have been only about 100 pesos at the time. But he was trying to shoot for the 150-200 peso mark when I called him out and then got me to airport right quick after that. I may be a Kano but I know my way around the main thoroughfares in Davao and he tried to bet that I didn't know that and then he got called out on it.

[Balamban 113]

4 hours ago, Chris Duffy said:

I just grab a PNP and let them deal with taxi drivers who don't want to use a meter.

 

In Manila I have more than once got out of the taxi after he tried to take a long way to get to a destination, Not much they can do about it from my experience.  Taxi drivers in Manila are top of the list for scammers.

Do Philippine Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) have some special skills applicable to nasty taxi drivers?  They do know how to deal with problematic children.

Edited April 6, 2018 by Balamban

[Hank_ 9,174]

14 minutes ago, Balamban said:

Do Philippine Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) have some special skills applicable to nasty taxi drivers?  They do know how to deal with problematic children.

Philippines National Police

[Balamban 113]

I think I'd think that the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner would do a better job, no?  Is there no corruption in the Phils?  In Thailand, where I lived once, all the cops were complicit with every minor scam.

Thank you Hank, I really did not know what PNP stood for. 

[Kevo 69]

If you ever go to Baguio and need a taxi, especially from the hours of 3-8 pm here's my advice:  Put your mean face on and when you see someone getting out of a taxi, run, don't walk, to secure it.   Otherwise you will have a long wait.  Even if you have groceries and a toddler with you.  

 

Once the taxi is secured you'll be so happy to finally get one that if the driver says something like meter rate +100 you'll be ok with it.