Taxi drivers are urging the government for immediate action in increasing fares as their profit margins have been reduced due to high fuel prices and operation costs.

Owner of the Lapele Taxi Stand, Tia’i Maulio told Samoa Observer that of the 30 taxis currently registered under his stand, all are concerned as their families' income has declined.

"We used to spend $80 for petrol per day and get around $200 or more from a day's income but that was before the impact and the spike in fuel price. Now, we only earn about $150 a day but spend more than $100 to fill gas," he said.

"For taxi drivers, we have to service our vehicles every three months and sometimes twice in three months because most of the locations in Vaitele through Nuu have rough roads with heaps of potholes".

Maulio pointed out that they had already discussed the price increase with the Ministry overseeing public transportation, and they had submitted written evaluations regarding the issue at hand. However, they were informed that the government has not yet approved.

" We all have family obligations and whatnot but after 10 years of maintaining the same pricing, we would greatly appreciate it if the government or L.T.A. could consider our concerns. We have families to support and children to put through school, but things have been challenging and costly," he said.

"The majority of the taxi drivers have families and children so it's discouraging that this has been happening for years but our fares are still the same from when petrol was cheaper.” 

Similar statements were made by other taxi stands, including the DB Taxi Stand, Apia Harbour Taxi Services, TJ Taxi Stand, and Manutagi Taxi Stand.

Taxi driver Telea Li’o told the Samoa Observer that the increase in fuel prices negatively impacted his earnings and spending, forcing him to choose his weekly costs over his daily profit.

"It drastically decreased the amount of money I used to make and spend on my family, particularly on school," he said. 

“I usually spend $50 on gas in the morning then I would taxi around on that fuel for that day then I will recharge my gas with $50.00 the next day,” he said.

Mr Ah Sam added that the current business environment is also “discouraging” for him as a taxi operator because his expenses have doubled.

Tala Fiso who is registered as a taxi driver at the Lapele stand made a similar call and said he has not been earning enough from being a taxi driver for months now.

“I have another job I can concentrate on, so I was literally at the point where I wanted to leave my taxi at home, however, it's still not enough to support my family and the church," he said.

"It would have been great to have an increase in fares as it's almost like we are not working."

The other concern raised by the taxi drivers was the inflation and the rising cost of auto parts.

Mr. Maulio said taxis were bound to experience faults; therefore, they typically either replace or repair their vehicles. He claimed that while this was a common practice, it had become more costly. 

Taxi safety inspections are conducted twice a year, and each inspection costs $368 per car. If drivers fail to turn in their weekly payments, they forgo all other responsibilities to have the necessary money to pass the cars.

"So with this altogether, we're literally earning nothing or maybe just a small bit," he added.

Attempts to get comments from the CEO of the Land Transport Authority Sagauga Leilani Galuvao were unsuccessful as she is on leave.