A security guard at Denarau Island gate speaking to a taxi driver. Photo: Waisea Nasokia
Nadi
The Denarau Corporation Limited has made it clear that no illegal taxi operations would be allowed on the island.
DCL chief executive Rupeni Fonmanu, together with Westbus (Fiji) Limited managing director Vijender Kumar and Denarau Tours operations manager Jerry Kalokalo met with the Fiji Sun to clarify issues raised by Fiji Taxi Association.
In recent days, Fiji Taxi Association came out with a press release alleging that its members were victimised while dropping and picking passengers on the tourist island.
Mr Fonmanu said Denarau Tours and Westbus, which legitimately operate out of Denarau, do so because they pay a $5million public liability insurance each, apart from other fees and third party insurance.
He said that these two companies offer their service in utmost professional manner.
Mr Fonmanu clarified that they welcomed taxis from outside the island to drop off passengers at properties or the marina.
These drivers, however, were not allowed to act as a bus service upon return to pick passengers out of the Island.
Mr Fonmanu said their major concern has been that taxi drivers upon return from dropping passengers, were picking up passengers along the way, within the island.
Such concerns about taxi operators had also been made at several occasions during the country-wide transport industry consultation that was undertaken by Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Taxi permits clearly state that drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers along the way and act like buses.
Concerns had also been raised about Fiji Taxi Association members’ disregard of their taxi permits, and their tendency to seek loopholes in this regulation.
DCL said the Fiji Taxi Association was free to take up their concerns with the Land Transport Authority.
Mr Ram’s allegations of victimisation have also been categorically denied by DCL.
Talks have also been undergoing between DCL and the Land Transport Authority to have an LTA officer based full time on the island to monitor the illegal taxis operations that do not have bases on the Island.
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