Lautoka Cabbies Support Open Taxi Rank System, Suva Drivers Have Mixed Reactions

The majority of taxi drivers in Lautoka City have rallied support for Government’s open taxi rank system initiative.

The new system started on Monday. It would benefit more than 7000 taxis across the country by enabling taxi drivers to operate from any location within their respective zones on a first-in, first-out basis.

Shiu Narayan, who has been a taxi driver for more than 20 years, said it was a good Government initiative.

Mr. Narayan said when compared to before, most drivers were regularly abused verbally because they would argue for parking spaces.

“I think it is the best option that the Government has chosen to do this open taxi rank system because it is fair for all taxi drivers now,” he said.

“Not like before when we would come and park in someone’s base, they would chase us from there, and sometimes we would get verbally abused.

“Now it is good and I think all the drivers are happy about this apart from the base taxi drivers.”

He said there were positive responses from most taxi drivers.

Another taxi driver, Nikhil Chand said the idea by the Government was good in terms of giving all taxi drivers a chance to pick up and drop off all customers freely now.

He had been a taxi driver for almost five years now.

Suva cabbies aim to wait and see

In Suva, most taxi drivers have adopted a wait-and-see approach to the new system,

There were mixed reactions from many. Taxi driver Zoheb Hussein, whose base was at the RB Patel Market Point, claimed his income had been affected.

“Before we used to earn at least $100, but today (April 25), I haven’t even reached $50,” he said.

Mr. Hussein said although he could make use of the new system, he preferred to work from his base.

“I don’t go to different areas because I do not want any problem,” he said.

“Some drivers have different thoughts and they start swearing.”

Mr. Hussein also claimed many drivers were not abiding by road rules. Another taxi driver, Shawn Singh said the new system did not make a difference to his income.

He said his work was not affected, but claimed he heard about verbal arguments between the taxi drivers at some places.

“At this base, our business is already slack,” he said.

“I’ll see if I need to go to other places for better income.

“It’s obvious that if I go to a different place, others will look at me with a different eye.”

Raghwa Maharaj, a taxi driver who chose to adapt to the new system said he had accepted the Government’s decision.

He also urged other taxi drivers to do the same.

“Other places had long lines, so I came here because I don’t want to be booked,” he said.

“I just parked here because it’s empty whereas drivers are doing double parking where they are not supposed to.”

Mr. Maharaj said the new system provided a fair chance for everybody. Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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