Members of the Labasa Taxi Association are urging the authorities and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to take action against illegal taxi operators known as ‘Pirates’ who use private vehicles. They are also appealing to the Police to enhance their efforts in combating the illicit drug trade.
Association secretary Sujit Sharma stated that these illegal operators have been detrimental to legitimate taxi drivers by undermining their income. He pointed out that many of these illegal taxis operate at night to evade detection by the LTA or the Police.
As the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North takes place at Subrail Park in Labasa, Mr. Sharma noted an increase in the visibility of pirate taxis. He advised potential customers against using these vehicles, emphasizing the lack of legitimate fare meters.
Mr. Sharma warned that opting for illegal taxis could jeopardize passengers’ safety and inadvertently support illegal operations. He observed a rise in pirate taxi numbers compared to previous years, correlating this with the increase in car ownership among the public.
Daily taxi commuter Reshmi Wati expressed her preference for legitimate taxis for her daily commute. She highlighted that licensed taxi drivers are legally obliged to ensure passenger safety, a responsibility that pirate drivers do not share.
Additionally, Mr. Sharma urged the LTA and Police to be vigilant for drivers who may be linked to the illicit drug trade, noting that younger drivers might be drawn to this activity for quick financial gain.