Members of the Labasa Taxi Association are urging authorities and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to address the issue of illegal operators, commonly referred to as ‘Pirates’, who are using private vehicles for taxi services.
Association secretary Sujit Sharma expressed concerns that these illegal operators are impacting the earnings of legitimate taxi drivers, particularly by targeting their income. He noted that these unlicensed taxis tend to operate at night to evade detection by the LTA or police officials.
With the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North taking place at Subrail Park in Labasa, Sharma highlighted the increased presence of pirate taxis during this time. He warned potential customers to rethink their choices, as these vehicles do not utilize legitimate fare meters, putting passengers at risk.
Sharma cautioned that using illegal taxis compromises passenger safety and inadvertently supports this illicit business. He observed that the number of pirate taxis has surged in recent years, correlating with a rise in private car ownership.
Daily taxi commuter Reshmi Wati emphasized her preference for legal taxis for her daily commute, stating that she feels safer with licensed drivers who are held accountable for passenger safety.
Additionally, Sharma urged the LTA and police to monitor drivers who may be involved in the drug trade, suggesting that younger drivers seeking quick financial gain might be more likely to engage in illegal activities.