A steering committee setup to review the bus industry will start consultations next Wednesday and expected to complete reviews by mid-December.

In an exclusive interview with FBC News, Committee Chair, Joel Abraham says this time period gives the committee ample time to collect submissions, analysis findings to help them produce a recommendation.

Chair Joel Abraham is encouraging the public to bring firth concerns as the outcome of the review will impact every Fijian.

“We will call for written and oral submissions and we will open other platforms as well through social media, emails and calls. We are also looking at obtaining and advertising numbers on which people can text in their submissions – we will accept that as well.”

The Committee will focus on all the factors that determine fares before compiling a submission for the Economy Ministry.

“We will look at the current market conditions, we will look at the level of competition, operating costs by operators and as well as the level of service is provided to the general public and we will take all these things into account when determining and reviewing fares.”

The Economy Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the increase in bus fares after the last review in 2011 was the result of an increase in fuel prices.

“The price of fuel has come down quite significantly to about US150 dollars a barrel – but overall there are a lot of other factors that need to be taken to account when considering the bus fare rates.”

The independent committee consist of representatives from the RBF, Solicitor General, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Land Transport Authority, Consumer Council of Fiji, Fiji Bus Operators Association and the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry.