FORMER Fiji Bus Operators Association (FBOA) president Parmod Chand has called on the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) to consult bus operators over any decisions affecting them.
The former parliamentarian and director of Parmod Enterprises Ltd claimed there had been no consultation between bus operators and the FCCC.
“The FCCC chief executive (Joel Abraham) should understand that costs have increased and we are already faced with high costs,” he said.
“Previously, the Land Transport Authority used to use a cost index model to grant us increase. Why can’t the FCCC use this mechanism as a temporary measure and work on formulating a new index model?
“The FCCC CEO is saying that bus operators are not closing down business. Well, we can’t just close down business because we have so much at risk as we have personal guarantees with banks including houses.”
The FCCC, he said, should consult the bus operators because they were well versed with the developments and challenges of the industry.
“They should listen to us. Every time we have the FBOA annual general meeting, they come with other stakeholders to lecture us,” Mr Chand said.
“The FCCC has a dictatorial behaviour towards the bus industry. It’s time they start listening to us.
“We have bus operators who have 20 years or even more experience in the industry and they should come and talk to us so we can work together.”
Questions sent to the FCCC earlier this week remains unanswered.
Mr Abraham had stated last week that they would not rush into increasing bus fares.
