Minivan operators say mounting costs and unequal Government support could push many out of business, as they call for a fairer approach to fuel relief measures compared with the bus industry.
Viti Minibus Cooperative general secretary Sakiusa Delai said minibus and taxi operators were facing the same economic pressures as bus companies but had not received similar assistance despite rising fuel and operating expenses.
“This selective approach is deeply unfair,” Mr Delai said.
He said operators were struggling under increasing costs for fuel, spare parts, maintenance, insurance and other day-to-day operations.
“While buses receive a fully Government-funded subsidy worth millions of dollars each month, minibus and taxi operators are left to carry the full burden of rising fuel costs entirely on their own.”
Mr Delai said minibus services remained an essential part of public transport, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where bus services were limited, overcrowded or unavailable.
He warned that without intervention, many operators may be forced to exit the industry.
Meanwhile, Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) chief executive officer Senikavika Jiuta defended the 22.5 per cent bus fare increase, saying it was approved following a formal submission from bus operators.
“They’ve requested since April,” Ms Jiuta said.
She added that taxi fare submissions were still under review, while the FCCC had not received any formal application from the minibus sector.
Mr Delai said the minibus industry had not submitted a formal request because of the complexity of fare structures across different routes nationwide.
