When the clock strikes 5 PM in Korovou, the once-bustling town begins to quiet down. Taxi operators close up shop, stores shutter their doors, and public transport options dwindle. However, for many workers, students, and villagers, the day is far from over. A former police officer, Peni Sovanatabua, has taken on a vital role in this community by becoming a late-evening “pirate driver.”
Sovanatabua, originally from Wailotua Wainibuka, has been providing this service for over 12 years after transitioning from his role in the Fiji Police Force. Utilizing his private vehicle, he transports commuters once regular taxi services cease operations. His decision to drive at night stems not from a desire for profit but from a commitment to supporting a community that finds itself stranded when daylight fades.
“After five o’clock, taxis are gone, but people are still here,” Sovanatabua stated, adding that many parents, workers, and students find themselves waiting in town without transport options. He couldn’t bear to see them stranded, and his service has become increasingly essential as Korovou acts as a hub for numerous surrounding villages, drawing in hundreds daily for work and education.
While daytime transportation is generally accessible, the early closure of taxi services creates a significant void, leaving many commuters with the options of walking long distances in darkness or waiting hours for a lift. Sovanatabua recognized this issue even while serving in the police force. “As a police officer, my job was to protect people,” he noted. “Now I still do that, just in another way — by ensuring they reach home safely.”
Dedicated to assisting as many individuals as possible, Sovanatabua parks near popular pick-up points each afternoon and makes rounds to offer rides to nearby settlements and villages. He maintains affordable fares while prioritizing the safety of vulnerable passengers, including women, schoolchildren, and the elderly.
Local residents express their gratitude for these late-night services, describing the presence of pirate drivers as a lifeline. Some vendors in Korovou remarked, “Sometimes there is no van or taxi left. Without them, some of us would be walking for hours.”
Despite his good intentions, operating without a permit carries significant risks for pirate drivers in Korovou. Sovanatabua revealed that they face penalties such as illegal parking fines and the inability to provide transport services legally, with fines reaching up to $500 per offense. Nevertheless, he remains undeterred. “Yes, we get fined… But that doesn’t stop me. When people are stuck, what do you do? Leave them?”
Sovanatabua feels that the term “pirate driver” unfairly portrays him and his peers as criminals. In reality, they are filling a crucial transport gap in a community that needs assistance after dark. He advocates for improved transport services that extend operational hours for taxis, arguing that if regular taxis could run later, the dependency on illegal services would diminish.
“Until that happens, I’ll keep driving,” he affirmed. With his commitment to serving the people of Korovou unwavering, Sovanatabua continues to ensure that even when the town slows down, its residents still have a reliable way home.