For more than three decades, Asish Maharaj has been a familiar face in the Samabula area providing a service for taxi commuters.
With over 32 years of experience behind the wheel, Asish has seen the landscape of Fiji’s taxi industry transform in countless ways.
His taxi base is near the Post Office in Waimanu Rd, Suva.
Asish reflects on how different things were when he first started driving.
He said back in the day, they rarely heard of taxi drivers being robbed, whereas today, it has become a common thing.
“Today, many of us have either experienced it or know someone who has,” he said.
He also highlighted the growing safety concerns for drivers, noting that incidents of robbery and harassment have increased drastically.
He recalled situations where intoxicated passengers harassed him during trips—something that has become an unfortunate reality on the job. He said these experiences, though unsettling, hasn’t dimmed his passion for the profession.
Another issue he raised was the deteriorating road conditions in certain parts of the country.
“Some passengers request to be taken through roads that are in poor condition, and while we try to accommodate them, those roads cause a lot of damage to our taxis,” he said.
Asish shared that the ongoing wear and tear not only added to maintenance costs but also affected the daily livelihood of drivers.
“In earlier years, the cost of vehicle maintenance was significantly cheaper, making it easier for drivers to manage expenses.
“Compared to now, prices for parts, servicing, and repairs have risen sharply, adding financial burdens on drivers,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Asish remains committed to his work.
“I still enjoy what I do,” he said with a smile. “Even after all these years, meeting new people every day and helping them get to their destinations makes the job worthwhile.”
Asish has also built strong relationships with many of his regular passengers, some of whom have hired his car for decades.
Through the ups and downs, he continues to do his job with pride—driving through the streets of Suva, while offering a reliable service to his passengers and the community he serves.
Asish also shared his concerns about the growing presence of pirate drivers on the roads.
He said pirate drivers often rushed to pick passengers, leaving little opportunity for legitimate taxi drivers to get customers.
“Their aggressive behaviour and lack of regulation are major issues,” he said.
Unlike registered taxis that operate with metres and set fares, Asish shared that pirate drivers tend to charge passengers higher rates, often taking advantage of those who may not realise they’re being overcharged. He says this unfair competition not only harms the livelihoods of licensed taxi drivers but also affects passengers who end up paying more for less secure services.
He stressed the importance of supporting legal taxi operators, both for safety and fairness in the transportation industry.
Asish’s experiences emphasises the challenges faced by honest drivers trying to earn a living in an increasingly competitive and sometimes unsafe environment.
As a veteran taxi driver, he offered an important advice to fellow drivers, emphasising the need to be cautious when picking up passengers and always prioritising personal safety.
He reflected on the increasing risks that taxi drivers now face, including a rise in robberies, and urged drivers to remain vigilant at all times.
Traffic along Kings Highway in Nabua on Monday, 23 June, 2025. Picture: LITIA RITOVA
Asish reflected on the increasing risks that taxi drivers now face, including a rise in robbery incidents, and urged drivers to remain vigilant at all times. Picture: FILE
