"Monitor, police crack whip on illegals"
EIGHTY-FIVE vehicles have been seized in one day by the Land Transport Authority and police.
Land Transport Authority spokeswoman Dorine Narayan confirmed that 85 vehicles were seized nationwide yesterday the first day of a month-long operation to eliminate illegal public service vehicle operators.
She said traffic infringement notices had been issued to the drivers of vehicles that were seized.
"Drivers have to pay $50 fixed penalty where the driver and the owner are both involved followed by remedial actions taken by the authority which includes suspension of vehicle registration," she said.
"The objective is to minimise and eventually eradicate illegal operation of vehicles in the country."
Fiji Taxi Union general secretary Rishi Ram said the issue was raised during their annual general meeting.
"An emergency meeting was held on Tuesday morning between the LTA chief executive officer and the director of Traffic Control and they have immediately stepped in to confiscate all private cars, vans and 'matchbox' vans," he said.
Mr Ram said during the AGM leaders of branch unions had highlighted that illegal operators were taking away the lion's share of the taxi business.
"In view of this, FTU has been directed to remind all taxi operators Fiji wide to abide by the taxi permit conditions where the taxi must be in operation 24 hours and seven days per week," he said.
Mr Ram said failure to abide by the permit condition would leave enforcement officers no alternative but to cancel permits.