Bus fares to return to base rates from September 1

Bus fares in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu will return to their base rates from September 1 after the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) announced the end of the interim fare increase introduced in May.

The temporary 22.5 per cent fare adjustment, which came into effect on May 26, will end on August 31.

In a statement this morning, the FCCC said the adjustment was introduced after a significant rise in fuel prices caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which disrupted crude oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed up international fuel prices.

With fuel prices declining in recent months, the commission said it was appropriate to end the interim fares. However, the FCCC said a separate review of Taveuni bus fares had been completed, with a revised fare structure for Taveuni buses to take effect from September 1.

FCCC chief executive Senikavika Jiuta said the temporary adjustment had helped bus operators manage rising fuel costs while ensuring public access to bus services.

“Regulation is about getting the balance right. Our responsibility as a regulator is not simply to respond to changes in costs, but to make decisions that protect the public interest while ensuring essential services remain sustainable. The interim bus fare adjustment was introduced to support the continued viability of bus operators in the face of exceptional fuel cost pressures, while ensuring that public transport remained available to all consumers. As market conditions improve, it is equally important that the benefit of those improvements are reflected locally,” Ms Jiuta said.

The FCCC said it would continue to monitor global fuel prices and domestic operating costs and conduct future fare reviews if necessary.

It said future reviews would consider a wider range of operating costs rather than fuel prices alone.

Consumers who believe they have been overcharged by bus operators are encouraged to report the matter to the FCCC through its hotline, email or regional offices.