FTA seeks talks with minister

The Fiji Taxi Association is proposing an open dialogue with Minister for Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau to discuss unlicensed or ‘pari’ (pirate) taxis and other challenges facing the industry.

Association President Ashwin Lal says the fate of Fiji’s taxis is at stake as the booming popularity of ‘pari’ taxis threatens to undercut licensed taxi businesses.

“Every industry has to be protected,” he said yesterday.

“The minister should protect the (taxi) industry, not spoil the industry.”

Earlier this month, Ro Filipe made an announcement outlining a pathway to regulate pirate taxis, sparking debate.

Mr Lal believes more can be accomplished through a sit-down discussion with the minister.

He plans to write a letter to the Minister to request a meeting.

“He’s an understandable minister,” he said.

“We have talked to him previously, and he gave us the back-to-base system, and we know he will understand when we sit down together and discuss this issue.”

Mr Lal worries that allowing ‘pari’ taxis to operate legally would further undermine the taxi market that has battled an open-based system, leading to overcrowded towns and cities, traffic congestion and virtually no taxis for rural customers.

“All these guys are entering the taxi industry. Why don’t they buy one bus and operate it? Why don’t they buy a carrier or a minibus and operate it? Why are they only coming into the taxi industry?” Mr Lal added.

“If you can give a private vehicle the legality to operate as a taxi business, what’s the use of the taxi?”

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