We are not happy with the increase in taxi flag fall charges – Fiji Taxi Association

The Fiji Taxi Association is not happy with the interim charges in taxi fare flag fall announced as they had requested for the drop distance charges to increase from 10 cents to between 15 to 20 cents per 100 metres.

General Secretary, Ashwin Lal also says the association is not happy with the increase as the meters would need to be calibrated and it will cost around $50-60 per calibration.

Lal says once the flag fall and the drop distance charge would be confirmed, every meter would need to be calibrated again.

The new taxi flag fall charge is now $2 from 6am to 9pm and $3 from 9pm to 6am in Viti Levu while for areas outside Viti Levu, the new charge is $2.30 from 6am to 9pm and $3.30 from 9pm to 6am.

The waiting charge has also been increased from 10 cents per minute to 18 cents.

These changes are effective immediately however taxi drivers will need to calibrate their meters before implementing the new charges.

Drivers have been given time till the 31st of this month to calibrate their meters.