News

Vandalism a concern for bus companies

February 14, 2020 4:25 pm

The Fiji Bus Operators Association says most buses change engines and undergo bodywork after every five years of operation.

There is no age limit for any bus operating in Fiji.

The Fiji Bus Operators Association says most buses change engines and undergo bodywork after every five years of operation.

Association President Nisar Ali Shah says companies are aware that this needs to take place so their services are not affected.

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FBC News approached Ali as there have been reports of buses with very poor conditions serving Fijians.

Shah says companies are aware of their social responsibility to constantly upgrade their buses.

“As soon as the bus gets old, they strip the bus, they put a new structure on to it and in their 5-6 years’ times they change the engine, they change the dip, they change the gearbox, and so the bus is always new, the only thing that is left in the bus which will be from the factory is the chassis inside, so nothing is old actually.”

Shah also urges Fijians to care for public transport as it is also costly to do repair works.

He says they constantly received reports of vandalism and it is often a challenge to track down the culprits.

He stressed some buses can operate for up to 10 years only if the company and the public take good care of it.