Taxi drivers welcome fare hike but want permanent review

The Fiji Taxi Association has welcomed the temporary taxi fare adjustment taking effect on Wednesday (July 1) but says the three-month measure will increase costs for many operators and reinforces the need for a permanent fare review.

The temporary adjustment, approved by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), aims to help the taxi industry cope with rising global fuel prices and will remain in effect until October 1.

Association president Mohammed Faiyaz said many operators would have to recalibrate their taxi meters twice within three months, reducing the benefit of the fare increase.

"Now the Pic brand machine will only allow calibration of 14 cents on waiting and 14 cents for running," Mr Faiyaz said.

"FCCC has given us 14 cents on running and 18 cents on waiting."

He said operators using the widely used Pic brand meters would lose four cents on the waiting charge because of the equipment's limitations.

"Thus, some taxi operators will lose four cents on waiting charge."

Mr Faiyaz said operators would also bear the cost of recalibrating their meters on July 1 and again on October 1 when the temporary adjustment expires.

"In this situation the taxi operators are spending more money in meeting the requirements instead of benefitting from the temporary adjustments," he said.

He said the association had repeatedly called for a long-term fare review instead of temporary adjustments.

"That is why the association has been asking FCCC to give us a fixed new increased rate which can last for many years."

Mr Faiyaz said operators using other brands of taxi meters would be able to fully benefit from the temporary fare adjustment.

In a statement, the FCCC said it would continue monitoring international fuel prices and conditions within the taxi industry.

The commission said it would review the temporary measures should global fuel prices stabilise or decline.