The Fijian Bus Operators Association (FBOA) has lodged an urgent request for a 33.44 per cent fuel surcharge after a steep rise in fuel prices in May 2026, warning that delays in approval could threaten the continuity of public bus services across Fiji. FBOA president Nisar Ali Shah said the scale of the recent adjustment is unprecedented and that operators cannot continue to absorb the added costs without immediate relief.
“The scale of the increase is unprecedented in recent times and is no longer sustainable for operators to absorb,” Shah said, describing sharp financial pressure on operators nationwide. He told media the association is pressing authorities to act quickly to avoid “serious challenges in maintaining reliable services, meeting operational expenses, and ensuring the safety and upkeep of bus fleets.”
The association argues the surcharge is essential to offset the sudden jump in fuel costs and to safeguard the viability of an industry that ferries thousands of commuters daily. FBOA said any delay in approving the 33.44 per cent surcharge could directly impact public transport services, with potential reductions in service frequency, route coverage or maintenance capacity that would affect commuters who rely on buses for work, school and essential travel.
While urging swift action, Shah acknowledged the role of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) in protecting consumer interests. “We fully recognize the role of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission in protecting consumer interests,” he said, adding that it is equally critical to ensure essential service providers remain financially sustainable. The association said it remains committed to working with regulators to find a fair and balanced outcome.
The FBOA’s move comes amid a broader period of rising input costs for businesses. Late last year, some sectors voiced concern after electricity tariff increases were implemented, highlighting how utility and fuel price shifts can rapidly squeeze operating margins across the economy. Bus operators say the speed and magnitude of the May fuel price rise have left them little time to adjust fares or absorb losses.
FBOA has urged authorities to prioritise its request and make a timely decision to avoid disruptions to public transport services, though it has not provided a specific timetable for when operators would implement the surcharge if approved. The association’s appeal underscores an immediate policy trade-off for regulators: balancing protection of consumers from higher fares against preventing service downgrades or operator insolvency that would leave commuters worse off.