Bus operators in Fiji are appealing directly to the Prime Minister to resolve the situation of an unreasonable fare structure that was frozen for 10 years until the latest increase comes into force.
The operators have renewed their call for the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) to publicise the formula it used to arrive at the 7 cents flat rate increase in bus fares.
“We are urging the Prime Minister to take a close look at our concerns as it seems we are not being taken seriously,” said Fiji Bus Operators Association President Nisar Ali Shah said in a statement issued today.
“The regulators of the bus industry, including the FCCC, are fond of calling for openness and transparency in the industry. Openness and transparency should apply in both directions. After waiting for 10 years for a fare increase, bus operators have a right to know how the new bus fare was calculated.
“We have regularly sounded the alarm about the potential collapse of the bus industry if an intervention to save it is not carried out soon.
“We are not asking for favours; we are asking for fairness.
“We are pleading to the Prime Minister to heed our call and assist bus operators to arrive at a fair position that will enable to industry to continue serving the travelling public.”
