Members of the Labasa Taxi Association are urging authorities and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to take action against illegal operators, commonly referred to as ‘Pirates’, who use private vehicles for transport services.
During a recent statement, association secretary Sujit Sharma expressed concern that these illegal operators are undermining the livelihoods of licensed taxi drivers by targeting their income. He noted that pirate taxis often operate at night to evade detection by the LTA and police.
With the ongoing Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North at Subrail Park in Labasa, the presence of these unlicensed taxis has become more pronounced. Mr. Sharma cautioned potential passengers against using these services, highlighting that they lack legitimate fare meters.
He emphasized the risks involved in traveling with illegal taxi operators, stating that choosing these services compromises personal safety and supports illicit business operations. Furthermore, he reported an alarming rise in the number of pirate taxis, correlating with the increasing number of people who own cars.
Daily commuter Reshmi Wati voiced her preference for legal taxi services, citing concerns about safety. She remarked, “I don’t want to sit in a taxi that can harm me because taxi drivers are legally responsible to ensure all passengers travel safely, while pirate drivers have no such requirement.”
Mr. Sharma also called on the LTA and police to remain vigilant for signs of drivers potentially engaged in the illegal drug trade, suggesting that younger drivers may be drawn into this activity in search of quick cash.