People who frequently travel in taxis have to dig deeper into their pockets following the significant increase in the taxi fare from next month.
This follows the government’s approval for the increase in fares from the 7th of next month.
From that date, after the flag fall rate of $1.50, the running rate of drop distance fare for every 100 metres will be 10 cents compared to the current charge of 10 cents for every 200 metres.
This means that the drop distance fare has been doubled.
Fiji Taxi Union General Secretary, Rishi Ram said the significant increase will assist the taxi industry and he does not believe that there will be a reduction in the number of people travelling in taxis.
An example of the increase as stated is a person paying a fare of $8.50 from the 7th of next month if their current fare for the same run is $5.
Under the agreement signed by the government and the Fiji Taxi Union, the taxi industry cannot ask for a fare increase for the next four years and an increase will only be considered if the fuel price goes up to US$155 per barrel.
Secondly taxi operators have to give a 20% discount to people who are disabled and produce a card.
Ram also said the industry has been told that no taxi driver can refuse to take a passenger to their destination.
If they do refuse, then the driver faces a fine of $100.
Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said taxi’s is always a transportation of choice and people will see a lot of changes from now after the new agreement on the fare increase.
The new taxi fare increase will also see all Nadi and Nausori airport taxis which are yellow and registered under the respective airports to have a new flag fall rate of $5.00.
Taxis operating in Ovalau, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Kadavu will have a starting rate of $1.70.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Filipe Naikaso
Drop distance taxi fare doubled
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when