About1500 open base taxis will be affected by the new taxi regulations introduced by the Land Transport Authority, says Fiji Open Base Taxis Association president Vijen Prasad.
Mr Prasad said open base taxi operators were mostly based in Lautoka and Nadi where searching for a permanent taxi base would be difficult.
“The main business areas in Nadi and Lautoka does not offer a lot of spaces for taxis or new bases,” said Mr Prasad.
“Most of us will have to operate from residential areas and rural areas where less people are likely to use taxis.
“So we are losing out unless we have a list of customers who we service regularly.
“If you are a new taxi operator it will be hard for you to get customers.”
Mr Prasad said this would only benefit drivers who operated several taxis.
“Only the PSV holders who run two or more taxis will benefit from this.
“For us the individual taxidrivers, we will struggle, and we will be competing with these bigger taxi companies not only for customers but for space as well.”
He said providing taxi services during peak taxi hours could also present new challenges.
“We all know how difficult it is for customers to find taxis. If a customer is coming out of Shop N Save Supermarket in Lautoka, they will only be serviced by the taxidriver who operates from that base.
“What will happen if those taxidrivers are all out? The customer will be waiting for hours.”
In a statement yesterday, LTA announced the uplifting of the freeze on taxi permits and new taxi permit base and stand framework.
LTA CEO Irimaia Rokosawa said the Authority now had the responsibility of operationalising recent regulatory amendments in a structured and transparent manner.
He said this included the removal of the taxi barrel draw system and the open taxi rank system, which would be replaced with the reintroduction of the base and stand framework, under which each taxi operator will be assigned to a designated base and stand.
“To allow for a smooth transition, existing taxi operators will be provided with adequate time to adjust to the new arrangement,” he said.
“Current operators will have until September 30, 2027 to revert to their former bases or identify a suitable taxi stand.”
