A “Pari” driver is calling on authorities to issue legal permits that would allow private vehicles to operate as licensed public service providers.

Joseph Jacob said he had been providing his service to meet the increasing demand from residents frustrated by traditional taxis that often claim they were not available.

“The public are given the same excuses that there’s no taxis at the base or they say it’s coming, but it never turns up,” he said.

Mr Jacob said “pari” drivers were often willing to take longer trips despite the conditions of the road.

“I had picked up a couple from Nabekavu to drop them off at the hospital as no taxi was willing to pick and drop them off at the hospital despite the urgency of the situation.”

He told a public consultation on the review of the taxi permit and process there was an inconsistency in the service provided by taxis, and as a result, “causing an increase in paris”.

“They also do not want to take intoxicated people, and with that we provide the service that they need.”

In support to his statement, a resident of Naseakula Village, Peni Taloga, said he had called “a base five times before he could get serviced.

“This is the reality in the terms of the service being provided for the people of Labasa,” he said.

Land Transport Authority CEO Irimaia Rokosawa in his response did not give any assurance on whether Mr Taito’s request would be considered. However, Mr Rokosawa said public service providers were not supposed to refuse service to the public whether the trips were short or long.