Caught Off Guard
“When the fare was increased by Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission then the previous Government felt they need to provide ten per cent subsidy to the traveling public,” Mr Lal said.
Wednesday 02 August 2023 | 17:00
Many bus passengers who were making their way to work or returning home after work yesterday were caught by surprise when their fares had increased. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Several bus commuters were caught off-guard yesterday when they had to pay more than their usual bus fare.
This is after the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) announced an increase in bus fares on Monday night.
The 10 per cent subsidy that was paid by the then FijiFirst Government has ended.
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The 10 per cent bus fare subsidy came into effect on August 1, 2022, where commuters paid for discounted fares due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Now, commuters have to bear the burden.
The announcement of the increase was made by FCCC at around 7pm on Monday and the new fares came into effect yesterday, just hours before it came into effect.
Disgruntled commuters aired their frustration on the late announcement leaving most of them unaware of the increase until they were on the bus yesterday morning.
Fiji Bus Operators Association president Richard Lal clarified that the bus fare change had nothing to VAT increase.
“When the fare was increased by Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission then the previous Government felt they need to provide ten per cent subsidy to the traveling public,” Mr Lal said.
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