MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is currently studying a petition to hike the flag down rate for taxis from P30 to P40.

The P30 flag down rate been unchanged for the past 6 years, and a P10 increase may discourage taxi drivers from overcharging passengers, according to LTFRB chairman Alberto Suansing.

He said taxi drivers have charged the same flag down rate for the past 6 years despite increasing fuel prices.

"Actually last week pa pinag-uusapan ang bagay na iyan...Nakakausap ko ang mga taxi drivers, common ang dahilan nila kung bakit nag-oovercharge dahil sa taas ng boundary na bayad sa may-ari ng taxi," Suansing told ABS-CBN News.

Aside from a higher flag down rate, taxi operators also want to charge P3.50 for every succeeding kilometer from the current P2.50.

Jeepney operators, meanwhile, asked LTFRB to hike minimum fares to P7.50 from the current P7. Suansing, however, admitted that this may not be implemented anytime soon.