The Fiji Bus Operators Association has wholeheartedly endorsed the Government’s decision to subsidize bus fares for students starting from September 1, 2024.
In a statement, FBOA President Richard Lal expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that for over 50 years, bus operators have been covering 50 percent of student bus fares, a commitment not expected of any other privatized service industry.
Lal thanked the Cabinet for its willingness to engage in discussions and find a resolution. He stated that the Cabinet’s confirmation means the Government will now cover the remaining 50 percent of fares for all students using blue and yellow bus cards.
This decision followed a review by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission of the current bus fare structure and the establishment of a new fare calculation methodology that implements a standard fare for all bus commuters.
The FBOA acknowledged that any government must aim to balance national priorities and aspirations within financial constraints, deeming this measure commendable.
Lal highlighted the vital role the bus industry plays in Fiji’s economy, serving as a primary means of daily transportation for thousands. He pointed out that over recent decades, the industry has encountered rising costs and increased service expectations with limited government support, even while being subject to strict regulation by government agencies.
He emphasized that the bus industry has uniquely been expected to provide a social service for schoolchildren through subsidized fares, despite rising operational expenses over the last fifty years.