People will continue to pay higher taxi fares after the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission approved a six-month extension of the temporary adjustment to regulated taxi fare drop charges.
The charge, which increased from 10 cents to 14 cents per 100 metres, was expected to end tomorrow.
FCCC says the decision follows a review of submissions from various zonal taxi associations and individual operators across the country as part of its reconciliation review exercise.
As part of the review, FCCC assessed submissions and verified cost information provided by zonal taxi associations and individual taxi operators.
FCCC says in reaching its decision, it considered the information received through submissions, decreases in fuel prices in July and August, and forecasts indicating that fuel costs may rise in the coming months.
The Commission says it is also mindful of ongoing geopolitical tensions and the impact higher transportation costs would have on Fijian households.
It says some taxi operators requested increases above the current temporary charge.
However, FCCC says while it recognises the cost pressures facing the industry, its assessment did not support increasing the temporary adjustment at this stage.
It says maintaining the current adjustment appropriately balances affordability for consumers with the sustainability of taxi services.
The temporary taxi fare will now remain in effect until 31st March 2027.
FCCC says this also means taxi operators will not be required to recalibrate their meters to the previous drop charge at this stage.
The Commission says the extension is intended to support the continued viability and sustainability of taxi services while balancing the interests of taxi operators and consumers.
FCCC says it will continue to closely monitor global fuel prices and industry conditions during the extended period and take appropriate regulatory action where necessary to support industry stability and protect consumers.
It says if international fuel prices stabilise or decline, FCCC will reassess the temporary measures as appropriate.
