Savusavu Taxi Association presi­dent Mohammed Faruk says taxi drivers in the northern town are reluctant to calibrate their meters.

Mr Faruk said they were upset with the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) announcement on Thursday about the new changes in taxi fares.

New Changes

Effective from yesterday (Friday), FCCC chief executive officer Joel Abraham said the new flag fall charge will increase from $1.50 to $2 between 6am to 9pm in Viti Levu and $1.70 to $2.30 for locations outside of Viti Levu.

Moreover, the flag fall charges will in­crease from $2 to $3 from 9pm to 6am in Viti Levu while charges will increase from $2.20 to $3.30 between 9pm to 6am outside of Viti Levu.

Mr Abraham announced the waiting charges have also increased from 10 cents to 18 cents per minute.

He said they would finalise the final rates in the next six to nine months.

One of the many taxi bases in Labasa Town. Photo: Shratika Naidu

Reasons for Disagreement

Mr Faruk said they had asked for a taxi fare increase to 20 cents per 100 metres during the Financial Year 2022-2023 National Budget Consultation at the Hot Springs Hotel in Savusavu.

“The last time we received an in­crease was 10 years ago and since then it’s been 10 cents per 100 metres,” Mr Faruk said.

“The continuous increase of fuel price is a major factor.”

He said other transport industries like buses were getting high fare in­creases and it was unfair on them.

“The bus fare from Savusavu to Laba­sa increased from $6.25 to $9.25 where­as with the new change there is only a 50 cent increase in taxi fare,” he said.

“It’s like from $86.50 to $87 one way from Savusavu to Labasa.”

Meanwhile, he added that one whole day would be wasted getting the meter calibrated.

Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj