The revised bus fare system that was revealed in August is now operational. Joel Abraham, the chief executive of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), clarified that while student fare rates have been updated to match those of adult fares, the government has implemented a complete subsidy for this increase.
Abraham noted that the adjustments were made to ensure families would not feel the impact of the new fare structure financially, with changes having no additional cost for students and their parents. He stated, “The Government’s subsidy guarantees that any extra expenses for students are entirely covered, including weekends and school holidays, while adult fares remain unchanged.”
Details of the fare adjustments include:
– **Blue Card**: The government will cover 100% of the extra student fare.
– **Yellow Card**: Students will continue to pay the existing fare, with the difference fully funded by the government, applicable at all times.
This fare modification is the result of an extensive review by the FCCC, which adopted a per-seat fare allocation model. The review was conducted in close collaboration with bus operators to ensure fair compensation through a complete cost allocation recovery model. This initiative aims to support the industry’s sustainability while keeping fares affordable for consumers.
Abraham stressed the necessity for bus operators to uphold and improve service quality under the new fare structure. He stated, “We will closely monitor the services provided by bus operators to ensure they meet expected standards and deliver value to passengers in line with the fare adjustments.”
Looking forward, the FCCC plans to kick off the next bus fare review in September 2024, beginning with data collection and detailed analysis to ensure future fare changes accurately reflect current market conditions while balancing consumer and industry interests.