A taxi driver and a saleswoman from Lami have shared mixed views on the 2026/2027 National Budget, saying while some measures are welcomed, many people are still struggling with the high cost of living and want to see greater support for ordinary Fijians.
Taxi driver Gabriel Krishna, who has been in the industry for more than three decades, describes the Budget as "50-50", saying some initiatives were positive but questioned whether consumers would actually benefit from the removal of import duty on selected food items.
Krishna says although duties on some food products have been reduced to zero percent, he believes retailers may not pass the savings on to customers, instead citing freight costs and higher mark-ups to justify prices.
He says shoppers have seen prices fluctuate over the years, but many essential items remain expensive despite occasional reductions.
Krishna also expressed disappointment with the four-cent increase in taxi fares per 100 metres, saying it will do little to help drivers cope with rising operating costs.
Insert: Krishna - It's just 4 cents June 29
Krishna says taxi operators are also required to recalibrate their meters following the fare adjustment, a process that costs about $50.
Krishna believes the fare should have increased by at least 20 cents per 100 metres, while the flagfall charge should rise by $3 during the day and $4 at night.
He says he had hoped the Budget would include greater funding for the Fiji Roads Authority to improve roads, adding that traffic congestion has become a major challenge for taxi drivers.
According to Krishna, increasing vehicle numbers without corresponding investment in road infrastructure has resulted in significantly longer travel times, reducing the number of trips drivers can complete each day.
Insert: Krishna - Lots of traffic June 29
He says when he first started driving a taxi in 1980, trips between Lami and Suva took around 15 minutes, compared with 30 to 45 minutes today because of traffic congestion.
Krishna adds that despite higher fares today, taxi drivers are earning about the same as they did decades ago because there are fewer passengers and more time is spent in traffic.
Meanwhile, saleswoman and widow Salaseini Poe, who is raising three children, says she has not seen much difference from the Budget announcement.
Poe says wages have remained largely unchanged while the prices of many everyday items continue to fluctuate, depending on decisions made by individual shop owners.
Insert: Poe - Whatever we need, we have to buy June 29
She says regardless of price increases, families still have no choice but to purchase essential goods.
Speaking about education, Poe says she continues to support her children as best she can and is determined to keep moving forward despite the challenges of raising a family on her own.
She acknowledges that school levies remain in place at some schools and says their implementation depends on individual schools and government policy.
Poe says future budgets should place greater emphasis on addressing the needs of ordinary people.
She says the government should not only focus on itself but also ensure it looks after the people by providing the support they need.
