Labasa’s business community is urging authorities to consider legalising informal "pari" drivers to plug a growing gap in late-night public transport, the president of the Labasa Chamber of Commerce said on Tuesday. Vinesh Dayal told media there is little or no taxi and bus service available in the town after about 7pm, leaving late-shift workers and others without reliable options to get home.
“This is essentially an issue of demand and supply,” Dayal said, describing the situation as a practical problem that requires pragmatic solutions. He said night-time transport is “essential for workers who finish late and need safe transport home,” and warned that leaving the gap unaddressed risks exposing those commuters to unsafe conditions or forcing them into costly alternatives.
Dayal suggested that if existing licensed operators — bus and taxi companies — are unable to extend services into the evening, regulators should examine the possibility of issuing permits to pari drivers. The term pari generally refers to informal drivers who provide ad‑hoc shared rides and who already operate in many Fijian towns to meet demand outside scheduled services. Legal recognition, Dayal argued, would allow such drivers to operate under a formal framework rather than in an unregulated grey zone.
Safety, he emphasised, must remain central to any move toward formalisation. While Dayal did not outline specific regulatory measures, he stressed that any permitting regime would need to preserve passenger safety as a priority. The suggestion acknowledges common concerns that unregulated transport can pose risks related to vehicle roadworthiness, driver qualifications and passenger protection.
The call from the Labasa Chamber comes amid broader national conversations about public transport access outside peak hours, particularly for health-care, hospitality and industrial workers who often finish shifts late. Authorities have yet to announce any change in policy or a formal response to Dayal’s proposal. For now, the chamber is framing the issue as one of immediate practical consequence for residents who depend on reliable night‑time transit.
Dayal’s comments are the latest development in local calls for improved transport planning in Labasa and highlight a tension between meeting immediate community needs and ensuring regulatory safeguards. He concluded that if licensed operators cannot meet the demand, issuing permits to pari drivers should be considered — provided that safety remains non‑negotiable.
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