Cabbies Weary of Illegal Operators

Members of the Labasa Taxi Association are calling on authorities and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to stop illegal operators using private vehicles who are commonly called ‘Pirates.’

They also called on Police to be stringent in their watch against illicit drugs trade.

Association secretary Sujit Sharma claimed illegal operators had robbed legitimate cabbies were from targeted income.

Mr Sharma said illegal operators operated at night to avoid LTA or Police.

He said with the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North underway at Subrail Park in Labasa, pirate taxis were highly visible.

“To customers who think it is cheap to travel in these vehicles, reconsider your decision because there is no legit charging machine,” he said.

He cautioned passengers travelling in illegal taxis meant compromising safety and aiding in this illegal business.

Mr Sharma said the number of pirate taxis had increased compared to previous years with more people now owning cars.

A daily taxi commuter Reshmi Wati said she preferred a legal taxi to travel to work.

“I don’t want to sit in a taxi that can harm me because taxi drivers are legally responsible to ensure all passengers travel safely while pirate drivers have no such requirement,” he said.

Mr Sharma also called on the LTA and Police to be on the lookout for drivers who could be involved in illicit drugs trade.

“Young drivers are possible perpetrators because they want to earn quick cash without much effort,” he said.

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