The Fiji Taxi Association has welcomed the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission’s decision to extend the temporary taxi fare adjustment for another six months to March 31, 2027.
Association president Mohammed Faiyaz had raised concerns about the cost and difficulty of requiring thousands of operators to recalibrate their taxi meters from October 1 while the fare remained under review.
“Operators should not be required to spend money recalibrating meters backwards, only to potentially have to recalibrate them again,” he said.
Mr Faiyaz said the decision followed weeks of engagement with the commission, including discussions with its chief executive and senior staff, written submissions and the collection of financial data from taxi operators.
He said the FTA had strongly argued that returning to the previous $1 per kilometre rate, set in 2011, was no longer viable.
“The $1 per kilometre fare was set in 2011. Fifteen years later, the cost of almost everything required to operate a taxi has increased substantially, including fuel, tyres, spare parts, servicing, insurance, registration, maintenance and vehicle financing.
“We made it very clear that expecting operators to return to a fare determined under the economic conditions of 2011 was simply not sustainable.”
The FCCC has confirmed that taxi operators will not be required to recalibrate their meters during the extension period.
Mr Faiyaz said the FTA had also argued that collecting detailed submissions from all 4500 operators was not realistic, with the FCCC agreeing to assess a more manageable sample.
The association subsequently collected operator submissions for the commission.
He said the extension was an interim measure, and the association would now prepare a comprehensive, evidence-based submission for a permanent fare that reflected the current cost of operating a taxi business.
Mr Faiyaz said the FTA would also pursue wider issues, including illegal and unlicensed transport services, driver safety following attacks and abuse, and restrictions on the transfer and sale of permits.
“Licensed taxi operators comply with regulatory requirements, pay permit and vehicle costs, and operate within regulated fares. They are entitled to expect that the laws governing passenger transport will also be properly and consistently enforced.”
