COVID-19 Has No Effect on Taxi Businesss
Mohammed Aiyub Hussain is passionate about driving a taxi because he likes been his own boss. An automotive engineer by profession he gave up his job as an operations manager to drive his taxi.
“The hours were long and I hardly have time for myself, that was why I resigned,” Mr Hussain said.
“The company I worked for was a civil and vehicle hire company, we would be reporting to work at 8am and not get home until late.
“It was tiring; as soon as I was able to buy my taxi I resigned.”
Originally from Waiqele, in Labasa he moved over to Suva to attend the then Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) which is now Fiji National University to do his diploma in automotive engineering.
No effect
According to Mr Hussain the COVID-19 has not affected the taxi business in Suva.
“This is probably because people working in Suva are not affected like the ones in the west as majority rely on tourism,” he said.
“People are always moving, there demand for taxis all the time.
“The advantage we have also is the hybrid vehicles we are driving as they are economical and luxury cars. “Economical in the sense with $10 fuel we can cover 90 kilometres compared to a non-hybrid car $10 fuel can cover 50 kilometres.
“In the hot and humid weather having is a the air condition on in a hybrid car does not affect fuel consumption whereas with a non-hybrid vehicle you would have second thoughts if you want to turn the air condition on.”
Diversification
Then Mr Hussain does not only drive a taxi as with time on his hands and being his own boss allows him do other things. “I have time to do other things now that I have my parents living with me and my wife,” he said.
“I am able to take my father to the hospital and do other family commitments. “I have my parents with me because they are aged and my father is sickly. They have brought me up to be what I am now. This is our (with my wife) way of paying back to them.”
Mr Hussein has been married for six years, His wife works at Bondwell. They have no children.
Mr Hussein is the third child siblings.
He has joined Deo’s Royal Cabs (DRC) that services the Suva area from Four Miles to Suva city.
Route
of four
The areas include Caubati, ham, Laucala Beach, Nabua, Vatuwaqa, Nabua, Raiwai,
Flagstaff to mention some.
“Our hours are from 4am to 10pm otherwise during the non-curfew hours we are 24/7,” he said.
DYC can be contacted on the following mobile numbers: 928 3222, 848 5888, 7627141 and 4502678.
CunningRaiwasa, Raiwaqa,