The Government of Fiji is set to reopen the taxi permit disbursement system, implementing significant policy changes including a return to the traditional base and stand system. This decision follows widespread concerns regarding the inefficiencies of the Open Taxi Rank System (OTRS), which will now be dissolved following recent legislative amendments.
During a press event in Tavua, local resident Waisea Naioba Konataci raised questions about the timeline for the new permits and expressed frustration over a past rejection of his minibus permit application by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Minister for Transport and Public Works, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, responded by confirming that the new permit process would commence in approximately one to one-and-a-half months, with detailed requirements to be published shortly.
Tuisawau addressed the concerns of landowners wanting to establish taxi bases on their property, stating that they could do so with the approval of relevant traditional authorities. He emphasized that the assignment of taxi stands would depend on population density and transportation demand in different areas, aiming to improve accessibility for all communities.
Samuela Veitala, the LTA’s manager of corporate services, elaborated on the legislative changes facilitating the permit reopening. He confirmed that the amendments passed in Parliament aim to restore the more structured regulations of the base and stand system, which had been scrapped in favor of the less organized OTRS. This shift is designed to better manage taxi services, particularly in areas underserved by public transport.
Previous discussions have highlighted the chaotic conditions of the OTRS, which led to traffic congestion in urban areas and a decline in rural taxi services. Stakeholders see the return to a base and stand system as a vital opportunity to restore order in the taxi industry, curb illegal operations, and enhance service delivery.
The positive outlook on this transition reflects a wider sentiment among taxi operators and community members that upcoming changes could foster better coordination between service providers and passengers, ultimately leading to an improved and more reliable transportation network across Fiji. This proactive approach by the government promises to empower local landowners while addressing long-standing inefficiencies in the taxi sector, offering hope for the future of public transport in the region.
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