The Fiji Taxi Association (FTA) says it will challenge the interim fare determination in court should it not receive an audience with the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC).
Association general secretary Ashwin Lal said they had rejected the determination announced last Thursday by FCCC chief executive officer Joel Abraham.
“This is the first time we have received an interim determination and the FCCC said it will relook at the fares in six months’ time,” said Mr Lal.
“The FCCC expects us to go and calibrate our meters now at costs of $50 to $60 and do the same in six months’ time. This is unnecessary expenditure and time consuming.”
He said the FTA had requested for an increase of 15-20 cents on the drop-distance.
“The FCCC hasn’t given us that and instead have increased the flagfall that still remains uneconomical for the drivers. The FCCC has also increased waiting charges to 18 cents. We want to know if stoppages at redlights and road construction sites are included in this.”
Mr Lal said they would write to FCCC expressing their disappointment.
“If we don’t get a satisfactory response, we will take the matter to court.”
The new fares that came into effect last week included new flagfall charge from $1.50 to $2 between 6am to 9pm on Viti Levu, and $1.70 to $2.30 for locations outside of Viti Levu.
The flagfall charges increasing from $2 to $3 from 9pm to 6am on Viti Levu while charges will increase from $2.20 to $3.30 between 9pm to 6am outside Viti Levu.
- Questions sent to FCCC chief executive officer Joel Abraham on the comments made by Mr Lal yesterday remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
