News

Bus operators want fare increase in first four stages

April 21, 2019 7:16 am

The Fiji Bus Operators Association claims the delay in addressing its request for a fare review is starving bus operators.

General Secretary, Rohit Latchan alleges this is damaging the industry and would affect commuters in the long run.

Latchan says at present, passengers only pay 68 cents for the first stage six kilometers, less than the price of a loaf of bread.

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For the industry to survive, the FBOA has proposed an interim measure of increasing fares of only the first four stages, which is where a majority of companies’ operational costs are incurred.

“Stage 1 fare is proposed to be set at $1, Stage 2 is proposed to rise to $1.30, Stage 3 to be set at $1.70 and Stage 4 to be set at $2. All other stages would remain unchanged until a final determination on fares are made by the authorities.”

Meanwhile, the Independent Bus Fare Review Committee has completed its review.

Chair, Joel Abraham says final deliberations are being carried out and a report will be passed on to the Land Transport Authority.

The review was conducted utilizing financial data provided by 32 bus operators and views of Fijian commuters.

Abraham adds thousands of Fijians have said they do not want an increase in bus fares, however, the Committee’s agenda is to promote fairness.