Concern over taxi operators using public parking
MINISTER for Local Government Premila Kumar is concerned about taxi operators who use the public parking area for long hours in search of passengers.
This issue, she said, had to be stopped.
During her visit to Labasa yesterday, Mrs Kumar said she was aware of how some taxidrivers took up parking spaces allocated for the public and operated their business from the area.
“I am aware that some taxidrivers put money into the parking metres in town and they wait around for passengers and this has to stop,” she said.
“Taxidrivers have been allocated parking space in all towns and they need to use it.
“We will work with police on this issue and the Land Transport Authority because this is not right.”
Mrs Kumar has also assured taxi operators in Labasa Town that police would be roped in to address issues of illegal taxi operators.
Executives of the Labasa Taxi Operators Association yesterday met Mrs Kumar and expressed their concerns about the issue that had affected their legal operations for more than a decade.
Association president Mahen Pratap said they had grown tired of raising the same issue with authorities.
The illegal operations included rural-based taxis that also provided services in town.
“This is not legal because these taxis are not town-based but rural-based and most of the time the taxis are seen parked in town,” Mr Pratap said.
“This has been an ongoing issue and it has to stop because the income for legal operators have been affected through illegal operation.”