The Fiji Taxi union has confirmed that there will be an increase in taxi fares from 1st January due to the increase in VAT.
Union General secretary, Rishi Ram said the VAT increase is mandatory but they are also seeking an increase in the overall taxi fares.
He said they had requested the Land Transport Authority to hear all public submissions within the month of December 2010 on their proposal to increase taxi fares.
LTA was also requested that the calibration of taxi meters is done once in line with new taxi fares and to take into account the increase in VAT.
Ram said this will save time, Meter calibration costs and LTA costs.
Ram adds LTA is convening an emergency Board meeting next week to consider the Public submissions on the full fare increase as per their request.
The LTA has confirmed that in a joint meeting earlier this week it was resolved that the management will deal with the public submission aspect of the increase as early as possible and to ensure that the re-setting and re-calibration of meters based on the 15% VAT is done before or by 1st January 2011.
Meanwhile People will have to fork out more money to pay for bus fares from next month as the Fiji Bus Operators Association has confirmed that due to the increase in VAT there will be an increase in bus fares.
President Zane Dean said the association has submitted to the LTA the new fare table setting out the new fares that will be charged for each stage.
LTA has been requested to advertise the new fares in order for the members of the public to fully be aware of the new fares that will be charged from 1st January 2011.
Dean has stressed that increase in fares is due solely to the increase in VAT.
Story by: Ronal Deo
