Mixed views on crisis impact on taxi services

CABBIES that operate along the Suva-Nausori corridor have mixed views on how COVID-19 has affected their businesses.

Tiko Kece Taxis and Hire director Loma Baleilevuka said his business had been operating as usual because they were prepared for such a crisis.

He said the company had contracts with certain companies and they also had their own customers.

Mr Baleilevuka said because of COVID-19, the need for drivers to exercise health and safety precautions was paramount.

He said the announcement by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on the need for social distancing in public transport was something they were looking into and passengers should be aware of it.

Regent Taxis director Harish Chandra said only 50 per cent of his taxis were operating.

He said of the 46 taxis that the business owned, only 23 were in use because some cabbies had opted not to drive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Chandra said the safety of drivers was paramount and he had continuously advised drivers to adhere to the advisories issued by Government.

Nasinu Central Taxis director Shadaad Wally said his business had not been impacted much by

COVID-19 because the majority of his work was from contracts.

He said the operation hours for taxis had been affected as some employees had their hours of work reduced and others were advised by employers to work from home.

Mr Wally said the safety of public transport drivers was important and majority of taxi businesses around the country were looking into the issue, especially when transporting patients to and from hospitals.

He said he had advised his drivers on the need to practise good personal hygiene and, at the same time, he emphasised the need for them to make wise decisions.