The Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) yesterday announced increases for bus and taxi fares, to be effective from next Monday.
There is to be a 15 percent increase for bus fares and 20 percent for taxi fares. This was confirmed by Mata’afā S. Poufa, Taxi Standardization Sub Committee Chairman at the L.T.A.
He said that the increase was approved by Cabinet. “We have already carried out a review and have come up with the new fares,” said Mata’afa. L.T.A. has also made a new bus and taxi fare list for this year 2014.
<!-- samoaobs_headline -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="5353984075"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}
“We have based the increase in the new list according to the previous list that we had in 2008,” he said. “However, there are some new changes that have been made.” One of the changes was the registration of taxi stands.
“Private taxis are no longer allowed, so that means that all taxis must belong to a taxi Three Savai’i teens who beat a matai (chief) so badly he died of his injuries have been sentenced to prison terms of more than seven years each.
Talosaga Teropika, Tuleaga Aiesi and Tavita Pauli from Sapapali’i attacked the Salelavalu matai, Suafua 2AP, in June last year. He was taken to the Malietoa Tanumafili Hospital at Tuasivi but never regained consciousness, dying the next night.
Talosaga was sentenced to eight years and six months for the crime while Tuleaga and Tavita were ordered to serve seven years and six months each in prison.
Their attack on the matai came after Suafua joined a drinking party at a river pool in Sapapali’i. As night fell, the men were told by the youths to respect village custom and not drink at the pool or make loud noises at night.
However, Suafua allegedly swore at the youths, leading to a brawl.
The three teens, two of whom were still in school at the time of the incident, appeared before His Honour Justice Lesatele Rapi Va’ai yesterday afternoon.
They were initially charged with manslaughter and actual bodily harm.
The court heard that a traditional apology – ifoga was conducted by the village of Sapapali’i to the family of the deceased. The defendants were represented in court by Te’o Richard Faaiuaso.
Three jailed over death of matai stand,” said Mata’afa. “This helps to track down missing things from passengers so that it will be easier for them to recognise the taxi stand that this taxi is from.”
Already, there are 61 taxi stands for Upolu and 17 for Savai’i.
“Other taxis that are caught will have their licenses removed until they re-register” He also touched on the difference on fares for small taxis as well as taxi vans.
“The fare for taxi van will be the same as stated in the list of fares however if the number of people exceed four then the rest will be charged 50 cents per person as an extra,” said Mata’afa.
L.T.A. has added to their list the cost of fares for a taxi trip from the airport to all the hotels in the island.
“It’s important that tourists are aware of what they will have to pay in case they are overcharged,” he said.
Mata’afa said he is ensuring that the new list is ready for public release on Thursday and that it will be given out for free.
“This is to ensure that all the drivers as well as the passengers are well aware of the new changes”, he said. “More changes will be added to the list”.
<!-- samoa_observer.ws -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="5306335075"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}