VEHICLE operators on Taveuni are concerned with the deteriorating road conditions on the island, saying it has grown worse because of the recent rainy weather.
Rajend Kumar, a taxi-driver, said roads on the north and south ends of the island were sometimes inaccessible because of its deplorable state.
Mr Kumar said vehicle operators on the island were sometimes reluctant to drive passengers because of the road conditions.
"Road maintenance works on the island have been slow and the road conditions on the island are often given a blind eye by concerned authorities.
"People need to get around the island but this is affected by the condition of the roads.
"There is nothing we can do about it since we're also concerned about the security of our vehicles bearing in mind that they are our source of income," he said.
Pacific Transport Limited manager on Taveuni Prakash Sami said at times bus services had to be suspended to the south and north parts of the islands because of the state of roads.
"We know that this affects students, workers and villagers but there is nothing that we can do since we are also worried about the safety of the passengers and of our vehicles," said Mr Sami.
Fiji Roads Authority chief executive officer Neil Cook said Taveuni roads were also part of their maintenance works with Blacktop and that people on the island should expect their roads to be maintained effectively.