Members of the public are advised against using the services of an illegal operation that is being portrayed as Uber.
In a joint statement, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) said the illegal operation was advertised on social media platform Facebook.
According to the statement, Uber Viti Cooperative was an illegal car service that used unlicensed vehicles and drivers from Central Suva and Martintar, Nadi.
“Uber is not permitted to operate in Fiji. By using them, Fijians are exposing themselves to a significant risk of death or serious injury,” LTA chief executive officer Samuel Simpson said.
FCCC chief executive Joel Abraham said Fijian consumers needed to be careful and not tempted by such services because the risk was not worth it.
“FCCC is working with LTA to ensure that Fijian consumers are not misled by such operators into thinking they are paying for and receiving an official service, which could lead to harm,” said Mr Abraham.
“We always advise Fijians to be wary of non-licensed or unofficial providers of services and in this case, they are masquerading as an official company which is very misleading.”
The authority advised that those tempted to get into a vehicle that was not an authorised public service vehicle (PSV) should not for the following reasons:
- The vehicle will not be insured if it is involved in a collision
- There is a grave risk that the “driver” is not experienced and high risk
- There is a high risk of inappropriate contact or worse
- There is a strong possibility that the driver of the illegal vehicle does not know the correct route to follow to take you to your destination
- The condition of the vehicle may be highly dubious and not roadworthy
- The vehicles and drivers are not licensed as PSV vehicles and drivers.
