Land Transport Authority CEO Samuel Simpson says they are concerned with the manipulation of taxi meters in the private vehicles and have begun an investigation into this together with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service in relation to non‑payment of tax on illegal earnings.

He has made these comments after LTA impounded 18 private cars in Suva over the weekend for offences such as illegal installation of taxi meters in vehicles to operate unauthorized taxis.     

Simpson says altogether they impounded 56 motor vehicles for illegal operations on the road as part of its road safety and enforcement operations to crackdown on illegal operations since last month.

Simpson says they will specifically target illegal motor vehicle operations.

He adds 5 of the 56 vehicles impounded contravene License Rental registration while 51 were private vehicles.

Simpson says the team are also monitoring taxis that are operating illegally from another zone apart from the zone assigned.