Members of the Labasa Taxi Association are urging authorities and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to take action against illegal taxi operators, often referred to as ‘Pirates,’ who use private vehicles for transportation.
Association secretary Sujit Sharma expressed concerns that these illegal operators have been infringing on legitimate taxi drivers’ incomes. According to Sharma, these illegal services tend to operate at night to evade detection from the LTA and police.
With the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North taking place at Subrail Park in Labasa, the presence of pirate taxis has become more noticeable. Sharma cautioned potential riders to reconsider using these services, as they do not adhere to proper charging regulations and can pose safety risks.
He noted an increase in the number of pirate taxis compared to past years, largely due to more people owning cars. Regular taxi commuter Reshmi Wati emphasized her preference for licensed taxis, highlighting the legal responsibility of taxi drivers to ensure passenger safety, a requirement that pirate drivers lack.
Sharma also called for the LTA and police to maintain vigilance for drivers who may be involved in the illicit drug trade, pointing out that younger drivers might be motivated by the desire for quick cash with minimal effort.