Some bus operators are claiming that they do not make enough money to buy fuel and might cease services for a few days.

The discontinuation of bus services by some bus operators is a possibility, says Fiji Bus Operators Association (FBOA) President Richard Lal.

Association members met the Independent Bus Fare Review Committee chairperson Joel Abraham on Wednesday regarding their application for a fare review, but because the companies’ financials for 2018 were needed, which many had not submitted, no decision was made.

Mr Lal said there were comments made by some bus operators that they might have to discontinue their services because of cash flow crisis.

“There were comments made by some companies that they may need to stop operations only because they do not have the cash to buy fuel. So that was the general feeling because what can they do if they have no cash for fuel?”

Mr Lal said while stopping the bus service was a serious possibility; they hoped there would be a solution before it came to that.

He added that bus companies were no different from any other business and needed cash to survive.

“Different companies have different kind, of operations and income and some companies have a bigger problem than others,” Mr Lal said.

He added that FBOA was pushing for negotiations with the Government and other stakeholders.

After the meeting on Wednesday, Mr Abraham had said bus operators failed to provide their 2018 financial information.

“Wednesday’s meeting was supposed to be for decision making, for the meeting to contemplate the results, but none of that aspect of the meeting took place. It was all about us not having the 2018 data.

“We will provide the data and we are hoping to find a solution soon, we are not going to look at it in a negative way.”

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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