Trip Tracker Text Hotline from MMDA

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has launched two text hotlines to help protect commuters from being victimized by unscrupulous drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs).

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando on Sunday said that through the “Trip Tracker” project, which is under his agency’s Safe City program, authorities would now be able to go after or prevent errant PUV drivers from preying on their passengers.

“For example, you’re an OFW (overseas Filipino worker) who comes home with a lot of baggage. You become the target of holdup men and unscrupulous drivers who charge you a high fare. Or you may end up losing some of your baggage,” Fernando explained.

“But if you can immediately text the plate number and name of the taxi cab you are riding in to the MMDA, we can help you trace the cab,” he added.

Commuters can send their text message which should contain the name and plate number of the PUV they flagged down to 0917-5618709 for Globe users and 0920-9472116 for Smart subscribers.

Fernando said the Trip Tracker project would not duplicate the functions of the Land Transportation Office and Philippine National Police hotlines because it would merely serve as a logbook for vehicles’ plate numbers which authorities could later on use as a reference for tracing the PUV.

“The messages will be stored by our Metrobase. For example, you have a relative who rode in a taxi but did not get to his or her destination. You can go to the MMDA, tell us [your relative’s] cell phone number so we can check if he or she texted [the hotline]. Aside from the plate number, we will also know when and from where the text message was sent,” Fernando said.

“Once they know there is a project like this, unscrupulous drivers will think twice before doing anything,” he added.

Fernando said his office would soon distribute stickers bearing the Trip Tracker hotlines to create awareness of the program among commuters and PUV drivers.