Taxi drivers in Samoa are urging the government to consider increasing taxi fares, as they are experiencing high cost of operations and reduced income, due to rising fuel prices.
Owner of the Faleata Taxi Stand, Sione Tunai, told the Samoa Observer that of the 12 taxis currently registered under his stand, all have been very concerned.
They used to spend $50 tālā for gas per day and get around $200 in income, but that was before the impact and the spike in fuel prices.
Now, they only earn about $120 tālā a day, but spend more than $50 on gas.
Owners also have to service their vehicles every two to three months, due to bad encounters on the job but especially because some of the locations they drive have very rough roads.
Other taxi stands, such as the TJ Taxi Stand, City Cab, Triple Seven (777), Teuila and DB Taxi Stand, made similar comments.
Drivers said, inflation and an increase in the price of vehicle parts have also increased the costs of operating a taxi.
Photo: Samoa Observer
