Taxi drivers call for permanent fare increase as costs continue to rise

Taxi drivers are urging authorities to make the recent increase in taxi meter rates permanent, saying the temporary adjustment has provided some relief but rising operating costs continue to affect their earnings.

Drivers in Nadi said years of high fuel prices, increasing vehicle maintenance costs and declining business have left many struggling to make a living despite recent reductions in fuel prices.

Nawaka taxi driver Mohammad Roshan Ali, who has been in the industry for more than 18 years, said the fare increase had provided some relief but was not enough to offset the financial pressure drivers continued to face.

“The taxi fare increase is good, but fuel prices remain expensive, even though there has been a slight reduction,” Mr Ali said.

Long-distance trips often generated little profit because drivers return without passengers.

“A trip to Sigatoka can cost us between $30 and $40 in fuel, leaving only about $20 in earnings before we return empty,” he said.

“We also have to cover vehicle maintenance and pay a share of our earnings to taxi owners.”

Mr Ali also called on the Government to subsidise the $50 cost of recalibrating taxi meters following fare adjustments.

Another Nadi driver, Mohammad Hakiq, said taxi operators had received no assistance during the fuel price crisis, unlike other public transport providers.

Yako taxi driver Bal Krishna Mudliar said it had been more than a decade since taxi fares were last increased and the rates should be retained.

“For many years, we have been absorbing not only high fuel costs but also increases in the overall cost of living, and the time has come to make changes that will improve the livelihoods of taxi drivers as well,” Mr Mudliar said.

Fiji Taxi Association executive Balram Naidu said a submission was being prepared to support retaining the current rates while drivers recover from the impacts of the economic crisis.

“We are continuing discussions with the Government, the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), and other relevant authorities to ensure the increase can remain in place while drivers recover from the economic impacts of recent years,” Mr Naidu said.

The FCCC reported that the temporary adjustment increases the distance charge for general taxi fares from 10 cents to 14 cents for every 100 metres travelled, an increase of 4 cents per 100 metres. All other fare components remain unchanged.

From left (top) Lautoka taxi driver Kanti Lal and Nawaka taxi driver Mohammad Roshan Ali. Bottom (from left) Fiji Taxi Association executive Balram Naidu and Bal Krishna Mudliar.

Photos: Katherine Naidu and Rishika Nair

Cabbies welcome fare increase

Taxi drivers say the long-awaited fare increase will ease the rise in operating costs. However, they are aware some passengers may shift to cheaper transport options.

Lautoka taxi driver Reshma Naidu, 45, said the adjustment would provide some relief, but it would not fully offset mounting expenses.

“The fare increase helps, but it is still not enough to cover everything as it is just four cents up. Fuel, repairs, insurance and other expenses have all gone up over the years,” she said.

Without doubt, operating pressures remain high for drivers across the industry.

Another Lautoka taxi driver, Mr Kanti Lal, 53, said business had been slow compared with previous years, with more taxis waiting for jobs.

“Mostly taxis are just lined up and don’t get jobs as drivers used to,” Mr Lal said.

This has forced drivers to work longer hours to maintain the same income. “I have definitely had to work longer hours in order to meet my level of income in a day,” he said.

Mr Lal said most passengers understood the pressure on operators, even if the increase was unpopular. He acknowledged some passengers may switch to buses or other cheaper transport modes.

Both drivers said they would continue providing reliable service.

They said rising operating costs continue to challenge taxi drivers across the country, noting that the fare adjustment — a four-cent increase in fares, an 18-cent waiting charge and a 14-cent running charge — is expected to provide some relief while helping drivers maintain services.