The reinstatement of a taxi base system in Fiji is anticipated to reduce the dependence on private vehicles, according to Ashwin Lal, general secretary of the Fiji Taxi Association (FTA). This follows an announcement by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) CEO, Irimaia Rokosawa, signaling a return to the base system previously in place before the Open Taxi Rank System was introduced by the FijiFirst Government in 2021.
Lal expressed optimism that the base system would address ongoing issues in both urban and rural areas. He emphasized the urgency of re-implementing the base system to alleviate complications caused by rural taxi operators entering city areas. “The taxi operators from the out-base system are coming into the cities and towns, where they create problems. When we revert to the base system, most of these problems will be solved,” he noted.
By returning rural taxis to their designated bases, Lal believes that the illegal operation of private vehicles will also be curtailed. Some taxi drivers in various districts are already incurring fees for base usage, which adds to the pressing need for regulatory changes.
The FTA has called upon the LTA and legal authorities to enforce restrictions that would prevent rural taxis from operating in urban environments, reinforcing their commitment to restoring order in the transportation sector.
This initiative represents a proactive step toward enhancing the efficiency of the taxi services while promoting better regulation, potentially leading to a more sustainable transportation system in Fiji.
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