The Labasa Carrier Association is calling on the government to look into the ongoing issues faced by carrier drivers regarding access permissions from the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Association members claim that the LTA has imposed restrictions, confining their operations to specific routes despite having enjoyed broader access in the past.
According to Mukesh Chand, the association’s president, after discussing these concerns with the LTA’s regional manager, drivers learned that they must display a “Charter” board on their vehicles to operate outside of designated points. However, Chand argues that drivers have since been cautioned by LTA officials and police about these operations.
Chand noted that he reached out to the CEO of the LTA via email to clarify their operating limits and received a reply stating that driving is only permitted between points A and B. He also pointed out that no formal explanation has been provided for the restrictions, despite drivers renewing their access permits every three months. He voiced concerns about a potential double standard in the application of these regulations, suggesting that if they were imposed without consultation, they could be deemed unjust.
Driver Satish Lal from Vunivau expressed his frustration over waiting for a full-time carrier license since 2018, mentioning that multiple applications remain pending. Another driver, Ravitesh Chand from Daku, who has been operating for more than a decade, indicated that these restrictions hamper their ability to serve customers, especially during peak seasons when families in remote areas rely on their services.
In response, LTA’s CEO Irimaia Rokosawa explained that applications for operations beyond fixed points are no longer being accepted due to amendments to Section 65 (3) (c) of the Land Transport Act. He emphasized that the new policy clarifies that routes are strictly from A to B, allowing for stops in between to ensure a fair market distribution and to protect the services offered by buses, minibuses, and taxis. The LTA is encouraging carrier drivers to obtain Licensed Carrier permits to ensure they operate legally within the public transport system.
This situation highlights the need for transparency and collaboration between transport authorities and service providers. The government’s prompt action in addressing these concerns could enhance relationships and lead to improved service models that better meet the needs of the community.
Hope remains that a resolution can be found that will allow driver operations to resume more freely, ultimately benefiting both the operators and the customers who rely on their services.
Leave a comment