PARI operators will not have a separate public service license.
Transport Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau, while clarifying this, says pari operators will have to apply for the taxi permits.
“With that, there’s been some misconceptions,” Ro Filipe said.
“It’s interpreted that there will be a separate category of public service vehicle license for pari operators.
“No, they need to apply for the taxi permits.
“I spoke about this within the current framework, which is either hire permit or minibus or a taxi.
“So, they’ll need to apply for the taxi permit which will be rolled out soon. We need to regulate them.
“Ensure that they don’t have police records, that the standard of service is there, and they are monitored by LTA.”
On the issue of Open Taxi Rank System (OTRS), Ro Filipe said this was brought in because people were complaining about the absence of taxis at taxi bases.
“Well, the public are saying that there’s no taxi at the places where the bases are. So, that’s an issue which will be resolved.
“But the Open Rank Taxi System is in the legal framework. That’s what we removed.”
He said open bases for taxis was possible.
“For example, within the open areas in front of shops, that can be open and taxis can come in as they wish when they leave their base.
“So it’s more to get them back to their bases, but the open system will be still there in another format.
“So that will resolve some of their issues.
“But the main thing is to open up the taxi permits and also to ensure that the bases have the taxis there when the people need them.”
