Effective today, minibus fares for six routes identified by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), goes up.

This comes after the FCCC approved an interim authorisation for an increase in minibus fares, following the completion of an assessment of the Minibus Fare Review by the commission.

The review considered the necessary historical data, and changes in input costs such as fuel prices, tyres, consumables, and spare parts.

FCCC took into consideration the following in determining the minibus fares:

• the cost of providing the services;
• the long freeze on minibus fares;
• the social impact of the determination; and
• the impact of the determination on the use of the public passenger transport network and the need to increase the proportion of travel undertaken by sustainable modes such as public transport.

Viti Mini Buses Association president Bola Saumaka has welcomed the decision by FCCC to review the minibus fares for these routes, adding that the cost of maintaining a transportation business was high.

“We have the drastic increase in fuel price. Maintaining the vehicle is also costly, so at the end of the day something needs to be done to ensure that we keep the business operational,” he said.

“It cannot just increase like that. There are many reasons behind it because at the end of the day it is a business, and operational costs are also high.”

Since there were a limited number of submissions received from minibus operators, and many being incomplete (improper financial data submitted), the FCCC formulated its opinion on the minibus industry based on the assessments and professional judgements from the experience gained from the recent public transport fare reviews.

The FCCC, in a statement, said the review was necessary to ensure the sustainability of the minibus industry, which also plays a vital role in Fiji’s transportation sector, enabling thousands of Fijians to commute daily.

Maximum Authorised Fare (VIP)

• Korovou/ Nausori/ Korovou via Kings Road will increase from $2.50 to $3.20
• Nausori/ Suva/ Nausori via Kings Road will increase from $2 to $2.40 n Sigatoka/ Lautoka/ Sigatoka will increase from $8 to $12.10
• Nadi/ Lautoka/ Nadi will increase from $2 to $2.90
• Ba Town/ Lautoka Town Return will increase from $2 to $2.90 n Ba/ Tavua/ Ba will increase from $2 to $2.90

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