Review Best Posts in Thread: I am kuripot now

Ever tried to take a tricycle during day time from the airport to Bolocboloc or Tubtubon in Sibulan. Distance of less than 1 km for Bolocboloc and 2,5 km to Tubtubon.........?
Don't be surprised they will charge 100 peso to Bolocboloc or 200 peso or more for Tubtubon.
So why has a filthy, dirty tricycle without any comfort to be more expensive than a white metered taxi in Cebu with air con.The polluted air you can breath during the ride perhaps? Ever watched the tricycle rates from the pier to Bacong, Dauin etc.
Only word word: ridiculous.

 

You are inferring something I did not imply. In fact she is the cheapest dentist you will find anywhere as she has a soft heart for people with limited income. (She jokingly says she gives me the indigent foreigner rate). Unfortunately she saves money by not supplying enough pain killer because she says foreigners are wussy and filipinos can take a little pain. But the bottom line is she tries to keep her prices fair and notices all the other dentists constantly putting their prices up because their costs and living expenses go up.

How much does she charge? Well that's between me and the good lady as there is the old joke about the dentist who gave a good deal to an indigent filipino, and the next day there was a dozen fresh eggs waiting for her when she arrived for work. However when she gave a good deal to an indigent foreigner, the next day there were a dozen foreigners waiting for her when she arrived for work.

 

This is a review of my tricycle ride from Lee Plaza to Robinson's Mall yesterday.

As I walked up to the row of tricycles waiting in front of Lee Plaza, one of them waved me over. I said "Robinson's Mall" in a questioning voice and he said "sure sure" and ushered me in.

As it happened there were 3 of us in the trike and off we went. The driver let off the first, older lady, near the market and she slowly counted out 8 pesos and handed it to the driver which he accepted with a smile, he actually got out and helped her get out of the trike. She was probably in her 60's, like me, and I guessed that 8 pesos is the senior's rate.

From there we went up to Hypermart where the next, middle-aged, lady got out. I notice she made a show of giving 15 pesos and he said thank you. I thought that must be a tip and having read on this forum that filipinos don't tip I was mildly surprised. But then I remembered that I have seen filipinos tip many, many times so I decided it was indeed a tip.

Next he took me to Robinson's mall. I have taken a trike from Lee Plaza to Robininson's many time and always paid 10 pesos so I had it handy and paid as I got off. Thats when it happened.

In a voice just loud enough for me to hear clearly he said one word and it sounded like "kur'pot". I just smiled and walked away but I wondered how many other foreigners tip, which would be why he thought I was cheap to pay the exact fare?

 

That is always what we locals do when the destination is a bit "off downtown". For example, you're willing to pay from P40 to P50, start with P40. The driver will often ask if you're willing to share the ride if there's a passenger along the route. I always say yes.

 

Obviously my intent was not clear so let me re word that:

My dentist considers herself an average middle class filipino and she is upset because when she goes to the market to buy something she is expected to pay higher prices now because "if you don't want to pay that price then some foreigner will pay it"

Is that more understandable?

 

My dentist blames US. She frequently mentions how the "overpaying" foreigners have ruined prices in Dumaguete for the average middle class filipino because they are expected to pay whatever price the foreigners are willing to pay. Its supply and demand.

So who is really at fault? I don't really care where the blame lies, I am watching my pesos and I don't want to pay any more than a reasonably conscientious local would pay.

 

Not alone of course nothing I can do when the people I know who have cars aren't available but it's better than drunk motorbike drivers.

 

I like it better when the driver doesn't talk, and even when I am thanked after I say thank you.

 

I would also have given p10 for Lee Plaza to the Mall as I have without issue many times. When the sun goes down, the price goes up and I will always ask. Usually 20-25, was quoted p40 once and I laughed at him and walked away. Three steps later another trike stopped and was happy with 20.

 

I don't use trikes much any more but when I do it is usually to my benefit (Having Had a beer or two)
I ask how much and have the choice to Yay or Nay. Junob to Hypermart/Flip Flops is 10 but on the Return I usually double that (the Curse of Drinking )

BTW according to Reports on this from the last Round of Shakeups on Trike fares, I was Under the Impression that the Official one ride Fare is 6.5 peso but to me 8 is right ( But then we are Rich EH?)
Now I may be wrong and it went up a little to 7.5 so 8 would be the roundup. Having said this My neighbour Repairs Trikes & M/C's and he tells me that the Costs are starting to rise for Parts and his Labour bill for his men is to rise so I think we may be Looking at another Rise in travel but Come on is even 20 is not a Great deal for that Ride Home after whatever we have been up to?