THE Fiji Taxi Association has called on the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Fiji Police Force to immediately crack down on illegal taxi operators, accusing authorities of allowing unlawful transport services to operate openly.
Association president Mohammed Faiyaz endorsed the call by Accident Compensation Commission Fiji executive chairman Maritino Nemani for stronger enforcement, saying the continued operation of illegal taxis raised serious concerns about law and order.
“Why are the authorities openly tolerating illegal taxis?,” Mr Faiyaz said.
“What message are they sending about respect for the law in this country?
“The LTA and police exist to enforce the law. If they are not enforcing it, then what exactly are they doing?”
He said legitimate taxi operators were required to meet costly licensing, insurance, vehicle inspection and maintenance obligations while facing competition from unlicensed drivers and unauthorised ride-hailing applications.
“The law-abiding taxidriver is penalised for the smallest infringement, while illegal operators are allowed to conduct business openly.
“What kind of country punishes those who obey the law and accommodates those who break it?”
Mr Faiyaz also warned of passenger safety risks, particularly when provisional licence holders carried paying passengers, questioning who checked drivers’ qualifications and vehicle safety.
He said taxidrivers were already grappling with rising operating costs, declining earnings and security concerns, including robberies, assaults, threats and harassment.
The association wants sustained enforcement operations, investigations into unauthorised transport applications and stronger protection for drivers.
“This is no longer just about the taxi industry. It is about the rule of law.
“When the authorities tolerate open violations of the law, they encourage lawlessness and undermine public confidence in the institutions responsible for maintaining order.
“We are not asking for special treatment or protection from lawful competition. We are simply demanding that the laws of Fiji be enforced equally and consistently.”
