TRANSPORT Minister Jone Usamate said claims by some bus operators in the Western Division that a bus fare increase was long overdue would have to be carefully scrutinised.

Bus operators who spoke to The Fiji Times claimed they were facing financial difficulty due to escalating costs, increased competition and declining income.

They said there had not been a bus fare increase in the past decade.

Mr Usamate said such a claim would need to be verified with factual data.

More details on this story is in today’s edition of The Fiji Times.