The Fiji Taxi Association is concerned about the statement made by the Land Transport Authority on permit holders being charged for taxi drivers refusing to make short runs.
Association General Secretary Rishi Ram says the permit holders are innocent and should not be charged for infringements made by the drivers, and this could be easily challenged in court.
Ram says permit holders can only be charged if the vehicle is found to be defective, operating on expired fitness or is a liability for any claims.
Land Transport Authority Chairman Vijay Maharaj had earlier said that if a driver fails to take a passenger on the short route, the driver can be issued with a Traffic Infringement Notice for Conduct of Driver and the owner can also be issued with a Traffic Infringement Notice for Failure to Comply with Public Service Vehicle Permit.
Maharaj says the authority can cancel or suspend a permit if a condition subject to which the permit was granted has not been complied if the breach is serious and frequent.
We have sent the concerns of the Fiji Taxi Association to Maharaj and he is yet to comment.
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