A bus passenger has raised concerns that some bus companies are allegedly charging increased fares despite the Government announcing it would absorb the latest bus fare increase.
In a complaint sent anonymously, the passenger claimed buses operating on Ba routes were deducting higher fares from e-ticketing cards as of yesterday.
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission had announced a 22.5 percent per stage fare increase would come into effect from May 26.
The Government had announced it would fully absorb the 22.5 per cent bus fare increase to cushion the impact on commuters.
“On the Fijian Government page it says the Government will pay for the increased fare but the bus companies are now charging the extra fare,” the complainant alleged.
“My fare deducted yesterday on stage 2 was $1.61 when according to government I should be paying the old fare of $1.45.”
The complainant said the issue was creating hardship for passengers already struggling financially.
“Please need urgent help because it is a hard time,” the passenger said.
