Mixed reactions have been expressed by taxidrivers in the Central Division on plans to revert the taxi rank system to municipal stand and base system, and to legalise pirate operators also known as pari drivers.
Samabula taxidriver Oscar Mafi said he was excited to hear about the plans, however, he was not happy with legalising pari operations.
“With the open taxi rank system, towns were flooded with taxis. People living outside town were neglected,” Mr Mafi said.
“Now, that the base system is coming back, taxis will return to their bases and serve the people there.”
On the issue of legalising pari operations, Mr Mafi said the Government would have to make sure these drivers have a public service licence.
“Without PSV licence, anyone will operate as a pari operator.”
Nausori taxidriver Vishwa Shankaran said the open taxi rank system was good for all taxidrivers.
“Under this system, taxidrivers were able to move around and pick customers. Through this their income was boosted,” Mr Shankaran said.
“If the base system is reintroduced, taxidrivers will have to go back to their base and operate from there. Some bases don’t have passengers and drivers won’t be able to take out an income for themselves and their owners.”
He also opposed the idea of legalising pari operations.
“Anyone with a private vehicle will pick and drop passengers.
“If it is legalised, taxi operations will be badly affected.”
Nadawa taxidriver Rajen Sami said the open taxi rank system helped all taxidrivers.
“Everyone was able to make a living with the system,” Mr Sami said.
“And if pari are legalised, then a lot of taxidrivers might leave their job and start doing pari operations with their own vehicles.”
Taxidrivers say the Government should conduct consultations nationwide before getting back the base system and legalising pari operations.
