Taxi operators that have applied improper waiting charge will be taken to task and made an example of - FCCC

If we find out and are able to trace taxi operators that have colluded with a calibrator to tamper with the taxi meter and apply improper waiting charge, we will take them to task and make an example out of them.

This is the strong message from the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO Joel Abraham.

The CEO says that concerns have been raised about one of the calibrators that changed the waiting charge to 10 cents per 30 seconds instead of the approved 18 cents per minute.

He says they have received complaints of passengers paying high amounts in taxi fares, and they have to first assess if that is a direct result of the waiting charge as it could be the reason why the person is being hit with a high taxi fare.

Abraham stresses the waiting charge of 18 cents should kick in after one minute of the taxi being stagnant but if the taxi moves slightly, the one minute resets.

FCCC has received more than 30 complaints from members of the public.