The Fiji Bus Operators Association (FBOA) has expressed full support for the Government’s decision to subsidize bus fares for students starting from September 1, 2024. FBOA President Richard Lal stated that for over 50 years, bus operators have been absorbing 50 percent of student bus fares, a responsibility not typically placed on other privatized service industries.
Lal expressed gratitude to the Cabinet for engaging in discussions and addressing the matter. The Cabinet’s confirmation indicates that the Government will cover the remaining 50 percent of fares for all students using the blue and yellow bus cards. This decision follows a review of the current bus fare structure conducted by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, which has led to a new fare calculation methodology designed to establish a standard fare for all bus commuters.
FBOA emphasized the importance of acknowledging that any government must navigate national priorities and aspirations within the limits of available financial and resource constraints, making this initiative a commendable step.
Lal highlighted that the bus industry serves as a crucial support system for Fiji’s economy, providing daily transportation for thousands. He pointed out that over the past decades, the industry has had to contend with rising costs and increasing service demands without significant government backing, despite stringent regulations imposed by authorities. Furthermore, Lal noted that the bus industry has uniquely borne the responsibility of offering a social support service for schoolchildren through subsidized fares, even as operational costs have risen consistently over the last fifty years.