LTA was accepting applications for taxi permits under Nadi 1, Nadi 2 and Lautoka 1 zones.

People turned out in their hundreds at the Girmit Centre in Lautoka yesterday to apply for a taxi permit for the respective Lautoka and Nadi zones.

The Land Transport Authority began its programme on accepting applications for taxi permits under Nadi 1, Nadi 2 and Lautoka 1 zones.

Among the crowd was Seruvi Ralulu, 52, of Viseisei, Vuda, in Lautoka, who was diagnosed with a mild stroke in October last year.

“I am thankful to the Government and LTA for including us. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope all is in order,” he said.

“Despite my situation I have a strategy to earn money for my family and continue my life working with the Ministry of Works for 14 years.”

He said the event was very well organised with superior customer service attitude showed by the LTA staff.

Zareen Bibi, 31, a mother of three and a market vendor of Nadi said: “I have three children and if I am successful with this taxi permit this will automatically brighten my children’s future. This will complement our market business”.

Freddy Chand, 42, of Korovuto, Nadi departed his home at 5.30am and was among the first to lodge his application.

“I thank the FijiFirst Government for this grand initiative and it is good for us Fijians,” he said.

“I did apply in 2012, but was not successful due to the freeze that was in place. Five years later Nadi Town Council refunded my money and now I pray to get one to do business in the right way.”

Mr Chand added this would reduce some sort of illegal operation that is ongoing mostly in the nights.

“Most of the time in the night only the illegal vehicles are found in these areas.”

Surprisingly among the large number of vehicles parked at the Lautoka Police Station and Girmit Centre there were a good number of taxi vehicles but it was not clear whether they were drivers or taxi proprieters themselves.

Meanwhile, the programme will continue today.

Edited by Percy Kean

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