Update: 2:12PM THE Fiji Taxi Association is hoping there will be reductions in duty and taxes on new vehicles in the 2016-2017 National Budget.
Assistant national secretary Mohammed Shameem said taxi operators would be able to purchase brand new, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles and provide increased passenger comfort if rebates were provided.
“This is one of the many reasons that you see old taxis on the road,” he said.
“Taxi owners just cannot afford to buy brand new cars. At present, the few that do are in huge debt to financial institutions.
“And we can talk about the environment all we want but unless we provide an avenue for taxi owners to purchase hybrid vehicles, emissions will continue to be an issue.”
