Riya Bhagwan 
[Photo: SUPPLIED]
Taxi operators refusing passengers rides over safety and vehicle damage concerns are creating gaps that illegal operators can fill.
This, according to Traffic Police Officer Jale Jitoko, who says these service gaps are creating opportunities for “pari” drivers to meet the demand.
Jitoko is reminding licensed public transport operators that they have a responsibility to take passengers to their destinations.
“There is no law that says that you cannot take a passenger because it will damage your vehicle, or the destination is not good; it will damage your vehicle. As a member of the public transport drivers, you have to take passengers from point A to point B.”
Some taxi drivers finishing their shifts as early as 7pm have also been identified as contributing to the demand for pari drivers.
Jitoko says taxi operators need to organise their operating hours to ensure services remain available for longer periods.
He says taxis should continue operating from designated taxi lanes in the evening, rather than leaving gaps that illegal operators can exploit.
Jitoko says Police will continue enforcement against illegal operators, but licensed taxis must also provide reliable services to passengers.
