The gate to a taxi stand which ignored a suspension of license notice from the Commerce Commission and continued to operate and charge passengers higher fares which the commission never approved, is now padlocked.
This is the Toa Taxi Stand in Petesa.
The stand was notified in a May 13th letter by the Commerce Commission that its license was suspended and it may not continue to operate.
However, even after the commission’s decision was delivered to the owner of the taxi stand, Toa continued to do business as usual.
Last week, the DPS and Department of Commerce padlocked the gate to the taxi stand.
The Toa Taxi Stand is leasing the Samoa Government property designated for construction of a new consulate office.
The Commerce Commission set a September 3rd hearing date for the taxi stand owner to appear and present an appeal.
It appears that the commission may be deciding the fate of the taxi stand earlier than that.
According to the vice chairman, they are scheduled to meet on Thursday to review the Toa Taxi Stand’s case.
Vailiuama said the commission has received two letters of apology from the taxi stand owner, urging the commission to reconsider as this was the bread and butter for the taxi drivers at the stand.
KHJ News understands that a few taxis have left Toa and moved to other stands, but many are still with Toa.
Vailiuama explained that the suspension applies to the taxi stand owner only. Each taxi operator has his own business license and can operate independently. However, operators shall not charge the higher fares not yet approved by the commission.
Those found to charge the higher unapproved fares will be in direct violation and risk having their business license suspended or revoked.
Operating a business without a business license is a Class B misdemeanor.
