The Land Transport Authority presented the Public Service Vehicle Code of Conduct to stakeholders at a two hour meeting this morning.
LTA manager standards and compliance Faiyum Ali said the meeting also allowed stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns on the code.
Present at the meeting were representatives from the Fiji Bus Operators Association, Fiji Taxi Union, Minibus Operators Association and police.
Voicing their concerns, various PSV stakeholders agreed that the code must be adjusted to allow drivers to use sunglasses.
Fiji Taxi Union general secretary Rishi Ram said sunglasses were also a health measure because it protected eyes from the glaring rays of the sun.
The union, in concurrence with other stakeholders also requested for the removal of the provision that allows the use of 3/4 pants by drivers on special occasions.
“We should all just wear long pants to give uniformity and standard to attires of drivers and also to remove confusion on what is to be a special occasion,” Mr Ram said.
Taxi drivers also asked the authority to make an allowance for 30 seconds stop to pick and drop passengers on any no stopping spots or on yellow lines.
“This is the law that is now being enforced in Australia and we should consider adopting this,” Mr Ram said.
The Fiji Bus Operators Association submitted that drivers not be required to take down the details of school students that don’t have any bus fare.
Association secretary Rohit Latchan said instead LTA should work with the Ministry of Education on getting teachers to ensure students have their bus fare come the end of the day.
“Drivers don’t have the time to be taking down the details and go to the school with it,” Mr Latchan said.
The association also asked for the code to have provisions restricting boom box loud music fittings on buses.
Nevertheless, stakeholders are happy the code is being implemented.
Mr Ali said stakeholders concerns would be taken up with management who will produce copies of the final code on Friday.
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