Members of the Labasa Taxi Association are urging authorities and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to put an end to illegal taxi operations conducted by individuals using private vehicles, commonly referred to as “pirates.”
Association secretary Sujit Sharma stated that these illegal operators are depriving legitimate taxi drivers of their expected earnings. He highlighted that these rogue taxis typically operate at night to evade detection by the LTA or the police.
With the ongoing Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North at Subrail Park in Labasa, the presence of pirate taxis has become particularly noticeable. Sharma warned customers considering these unlicensed vehicles to think twice, as they do not utilize legitimate fare meters.
He emphasized that choosing to ride in illegal taxis compromises passengers’ safety and supports an ongoing unlawful business. Additionally, Mr. Sharma noted that the number of pirate taxis has surged in recent years due to an increasing number of people owning cars.
Regular taxi user Reshmi Wati expressed her preference for legal taxis for her daily commute to work. 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.”
Furthermore, Sharma called on the LTA and police to monitor drivers who may be involved in the illicit drug trade. He pointed out that younger drivers might be drawn into this dangerous activity in pursuit of quick cash without much effort.