Taxi fare increase

I wouldn't normally side with the taxi industry, but I guess as everyone, they need a fair go. The Taxi industry's asking for a fare increase, and it seems as usual, they're facing stiff resistance.

Considering the increase in cost of living and generally the cost of owning a car and just generally being on road, I reckon it's a fair ask. What prompts me to write this is the following article which appeared in the Fiji Times, especally the comment in bold print.

As much as I agree with him on the point of quality of service and safety, I'd certainly not agree with him the emissions issue. A major part of the blame for the emissions lie fairly and squarely on the quality of diesel fuels available. Of course the road conditions take a heavy toll on the condition of the cars themselves.

The above is not to say that the taxi drivers are all saints and not responsible. Infact the taxi drivers in this country are quite simply the worst I've seen anywhere. I guess what I am trying to say, is that if the taxi industry is fairly compensated, some of the problems with service will disappear...

Council against taxi fare increase - Fiji Times Online: "Council against taxi fare increase
Wednesday, February 08, 2006

FIJI's consumer watchdog yesterday lashed out at the Fiji Taxi Union for wanting another fare increase without consulting relevant stakeholders.

Consumer Council of Fiji's acting executive secretary Josua Mudreilagi said it seemed the union was trying to fast-track a fare increase without considering the opinion of consumers.

'Any increase should be fair and take into account not just inflation factors but other non-price components such as quality of service, emission, safety, properly licensed taxi licence holders and so forth,' he said.

On the union's statement that there was no need for any public submission on their application for an increase, Mr Mudreilagi said it was an attempt by taxi operators to bypass consumer and public input and opinion on the matter, which contradicted the principles of consultation, transparency and good governance.

'The problem with the taxi industry is that there is no uniformity in standard of vehicles and services.

'While we have some good operators, we also have a large number of taxis in poor condition.

'The quality of the inside of taxis is not the same all around.

'There are vehicles with engines that emit high emission and pollutants that are health risks.'

He said it was unfair for taxi operators to attribute high smoke emission to the high content of sulphur in fuel.'There are factors such owning a second-hand car.

'To blame adulterated fuel is to ignore the low condition of taxis.'

Fiji Council Of Social Services executive director Hassan Khan said a fare increase would affect the industry because more people would prefer to travel by bus or minibus.

He agreed that the taxi service had not improved."