(Note: This image was borrowed from www.philippines-travel-guide.com.)

Ah the trouble of finding a cab during rush hour! It’s more difficult than lining up for a loan at SSS. I tell you this, folks. Cabs are as ubiquitous as rats in a sewer, but not all are willing to take you to your destination. Some would rather take you to THEIR destination than yours.

And so on Mondays, I am immobilized by the coding system (my car’s plate ends in 1) so I take public transportation to and from the office. Not that I’m complaining. I get to the office in 8 minutes flat in the morning, in spite of rush hour, because of the trusty “habal-habal” (motorcyle riders that take you anywhere for a fee), but that’s another story. Going home at 6.30 pm is hell for Makati commuters. Especially in the Glorietta area. So I decided to make a short list (as experienced first-hand) of places where you shouldn’t try hailing a cab in the Makati area. Hope it helps.

1. Glorietta – yes, it’s at the top of my list. Try getting one with bags of groceries on both hands and it’s a painful 45 minute wait, especially around rush hour. Tip: cabs are not allowed to get passengers in the Ayala area in front of Glorietta so it drives you to go to the Oakwood area where you get frustrated. Try going to the Intercon area, where they usually line up.

2. Landmark – though there’s a line, it usually takes forever for you to get into a cab. No tips here, you just have to wait it out.

3. SM Makati – another hellhole for cab riders. Better try your luck in the Intercon or the Dusit area.

4. Ayala Avenue – you can’t get a cab here because cops won’t let you, if they’re on duty. Tip: Go to the Dela Rosa side or the Valero side. Cabs are easier to find there. Also, special mention is the RCBC dropoff area. Cabs seldom refuse passengers there because the guards take note of their numbers. A few reports on a particular cab and that cabbie will not be able to pick up passengers from there again. I saw this with my own eyes. A group of guards dissuaded a lady from taking a particular cab because its plate number was in their list of unwanted cabbies.