THE Central Eastern Mini Bus Association is seeking a fare increase of 50 cents from town-to-town.
General secretary Yashwardhan Ram said they had not had a increase in two decades.
“For example, Suva to Nausori, the existing fare is $1.50, our proposed fare will be $2, just an increase of 50 cents in the last 20 years,” he said.
“Our association has been seeking a 50 cents increase for almost two decades now and have made numerous submissions to the relevant authorities but to date nothing has eventuated.”
He said the fares being charged had been in place since 2000 when the LTA was first formed and minibuses were first introduced.
“Our operational costs are high, there is an increase in fuel price, business licence, tyre prices, spare parts, loan interests, traffic infringement notices, fines and to maintain our vehicles up to LTA standards is very costly.”
Mr Ram claimed because there had been no fare increase, a lot of minibus operators had sold their businesses.
He said the rise in illegal private vans and off-route vehicles was taking the lion’s share of their business.
Mr Ram said he could not understand why minibuses had been discriminated against from day one while taxi and bus fares were granted fare increases.
LTA chief executive officer Samuel Simpson confirmed the LTA had received a letter from the Central Eastern Minibus Association in relation to fares.
Mr Simpson said all PSV (omnibus, minibuses, taxis, licensed carriers) fares were now the responsibility of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC).
“We note that the association have also copied their letter to FCCC,” said Mr Simpson.
We have every confidence in the FCCC to thoroughly investigate the matter of a fare adjustment and respond accordingly.”
Questions sent to FCCC on the issue remain unanswered.
