COVID-19: Bus Companies To Cut Trips

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crisis takes its toll on businesses nationwide, two bus companies in the Northern Division are doing their best to stay afloat and continue their service.

In Savusavu, the only bus company there – Vishnu Holdings Limited – has merged some bus trips for Vanua Levu.

Company chief executive officer Naisa Tuinaceva said they had been liaising with the Land Transport Authority on the changes.

“Three trips have been merged; Tacilevu/Naweni, Vanuavou/Tabia and Napuka/Labasa and Natewa/Labasa in Savusavu,” Mr Tuinaceva said.

“Three trips are suspended and these are Savusavu/Batiburewai, Labasa/Natuvu and Labasa/Savusavu, Savusavu/Labasa via Wainigadru.”

He said those had been done following the Prime Minister’s announcement on the need for people to cut all non-essential travelling nationwide.

“This is a one-day at a time operation as we all align ourselves to instructions and direction from Government,” he said.

“It’s business’ dark days for us. Our passenger loading has dropped significantly within the last few days and the trend is pointing towards a 30 to 40 per cent reduction by this weekend.

“The negative impact of COVID-19 on the company operation cannot be overemphasised.

“For us, it is a crisis that every business in Fiji and the whole world is currently experiencing. We are trying our very best to sustain trips so that service to the public will continue.

“However, to keep the business running and to ensure services to the people are maintained with minimal effect, it is vitally important to make some big decisions.”

Taveuni

Taveuni Buses PTE Limited will also reduce its trips this week.

Company operations manager Prakash Sami said the COVID-19 impact saw less movement from people on the island.

“We are planning to suspend some bus trips because it is uneconomical to run empty buses,” he said.

“We are paying 35 cents more on fuel prices compared to Viti Levu and 33 cents more compared to mainland Vanua Levu.

“I am aware there is no confirmed COVID-19 case on the island and hence we will continue to provide bus services to our elderly and sickly people who can’t afford to hire taxis to go to hospital and health centres. These group of people find it easier to use the bus card assistance provided by the Government.”

Mr Sami has been working closely with the Taveuni Subdivisional Hospital COVID-19 awareness team.

“On Friday, the team carried out a presentation to all the drivers, office clerks, conductors and mechanics on coronavirus,” he said.

“The bus drivers and conductors are at high risk because they deal with people directly every day. Hence, from now onwards our staff will wear a mask at all times.”

He is urging people on the island to wear mask when using the bus service.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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