Seniors, disabled qualify for taxi concession: Piantedosi

Senior citizens and people living with disabilities travelling by taxi qualify for 20 per cent fare concession within the 20-kilometre radius.

This was reiterated by the Land Transport Authority chief executive officer Carmine Piantedosi during a public consultation in Labasa last week.

“A taxi driver in Labasa declined taxi fare concession to an elderly citizen simply because he did not inform the driver prior to boarding the taxi that he qualified for the 20 per cent fare concession,” Mr Piantedosi said.

“The senior citizen despite having the fare concession card was denied the 20 per cent fare concession,” he said.

Mr Piantedosi said the Fiji Taxi Association needed to keep in mind that Government has an agreement in place.

“There is an agreement signed between the Fiji Taxi Association and the Government which clearly states that all taxi operators will provide taxi service at a discount rate of 20 per cent of the actual fares to disabled persons, senior citizens,” he said. More than 50 people turned up for the consultations. “There was a good turn out from the bus and taxi operators. Discussions were on how we can improve on our customer care service, transport zones and road safety” he said.

The Independent Bus Review consultation will be held this Saturday at Labasa College