The newly announced bus fare structure is now officially in effect. Joel Abraham, the chief executive of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), detailed the changes which involve aligning student fares with adult fares. However, the Government has intervened to fully subsidize this increase.
Abraham stated that the FCCC ensured families would not bear any financial burden from the new fare structure, as any adjustments have zero financial impact on students and their parents. He highlighted that the Government’s subsidy covers all additional costs for students at all times, including weekends and school holidays, while the adult fare remains unchanged.
Details regarding the fare structure include:
– For holders of the Blue Card, the Government will subsidize 100% of the additional student fare.
– For holders of the Yellow Card, students will continue to pay the current fare, with the difference fully covered by the Government, applicable at all times, including weekends and school holidays.
This fare change follows a thorough review by the FCCC, which moved to a per-seat fare allocation model. The review, conducted in close collaboration with bus industry operators, aims to ensure fair compensation through a comprehensive cost recovery model, supporting the sustainability of the industry while keeping fares affordable for consumers.
Abraham underscored the importance of bus operators maintaining and improving service quality following the fare adjustments. He assured that the FCCC will monitor the services provided by bus operators to ensure they meet expected standards and deliver value to passengers.
Looking to the future, the FCCC will initiate the next bus fare review process in September 2024. This will involve gathering data and conducting a comprehensive analysis to ensure that future fare changes align with market conditions and the interests of both consumers and the industry.