Taxi operators take Government to court over permit changes

The Fiji Zone Taxi Association has challenged recent regulatory amendments introduced by the Minister of Transport in the High Court in Lautoka.

The association filed a constitutional redress case before Justice Riyaz Hamza yesterday, arguing that amendments introduced by the Minister unfairly impact open-rank taxi operators.

The case was filed by the association, represented by Roopesh Singh of Patel and Sharma Lawyers in Nadi.

The disputed amendments, which apply retrospectively from 2017, replace the long-standing open-rank system with a base system.

The association claims the changes have significantly affected more than 1500 open-rank permit holders operating in the Nadi and Lautoka areas.

Representing 352 members, the association argues the amendments infringe on the rights of taxi operators.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Land Transport Authority have been given 42 days to file their response.

The matter has been adjourned to June 14 to determine the trial schedule.