Taxi driver urges base owners to review weekly demands

After more than 10 years behind the wheel, taxi driver Sireli Matanimeke reached a point where meeting weekly payment demands became too difficult, forcing him to leave his previous taxi base and look for another arrangement.

But the move has not eased his financial pressure.

Mr Matanimeke raised his concerns during a community dialogue at Nausori Village Hall, where taxi drivers gathered to share their experiences and discuss challenges surrounding the permit application process.

He said his previous arrangement required him to earn $700 a week, equivalent to $100 a day, before he could meet his weekly obligations.

He later moved to another taxi operating under a different base, where he is now expected to meet a weekly demand of $665, or about $95 a day.

“The pressure to meet these targets remains high, despite the challenges of having too many taxis competing for passengers and periods when business was slow,” he said.

He appealed to taxi base owners across Fiji to reconsider the weekly demands placed on drivers and allow them a fairer opportunity to earn a living.

He said drivers still had to work hard each day to meet the demands, leaving them struggling to earn enough to support themselves and their families.

“A fairer approach would give drivers more breathing room to meet our financial responsibilities without constantly struggling to keep up with daily targets.”

The community dialogue provided drivers with an opportunity to raise their concerns and discuss practical solutions towards a fairer, more transparent and inclusive taxi permit application process.