The Fiji Taxi Association has criticised the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission’s decision to end the interim taxi fare adjustment on 30th September and return the distance rate to $1 per kilometre from 1st October 2026.
Association President Mohammed Faiyaz says many taxi operators are struggling to earn enough to replace ageing vehicles or invest in safer and better-quality taxis.
Faiyaz says the FCCC must reverse the decision and commence an urgent permanent fare review.
He stresses that a 2011 distance rate has no place in Fiji in 2026.
The Association says it had sought a permanent and comprehensive fare review and proposed a distance rate of $1.50 per kilometre.
Faiyaz says operators are also facing higher costs for tyres, batteries, engine oil, vehicle parts, servicing, mechanical labour, insurance, financing and replacement vehicles.
He says the $1 per kilometre distance rate was established in 2011 and does not reflect the current cost of operating a taxi.
Faiyaz says while flagfall and waiting charges were adjusted in 2022, the core distance rate remained unchanged.
He says petrol was approximately $2.33 per litre and diesel approximately $2.02 per litre in 2011, compared with $3.06 for petrol and $2.92 for diesel on Viti Levu following the latest reduction.
The Association says operators paid approximately $50 each to recalibrate their meters and will now have to spend about another $50 to return their meters to the old rate.
It says operators could also lose working hours while waiting for their meters to be recalibrated because of the limited number of authorised meter service providers.
The Association is questioning who will reimburse operators for the further recalibration costs and lost working hours.
It says affordable public transport should not come at the expense of individual taxi owners and drivers and is calling for the current fare to continue until a permanent review is completed.
