The updated bus fare structure announced in August has officially taken effect. Joel Abraham, the chief executive of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), stated that while the new structure involves adjustments to student fares aligning them with adult fares, the Government has committed to fully subsidizing this increase.
Abraham highlighted that the assessment aimed to prevent any financial burden on families, ensuring that changes will have no impact on students or parents. He noted, “The Government’s subsidy guarantees that any added costs for students are fully covered, including on weekends and during school holidays, while adult fares remain unchanged.”
Key details of the fare adjustments include:
– **Blue Card**: The Government will entirely subsidize any increase in student fare.
– **Yellow Card**: Students will continue to pay their existing fare, with the remaining subsidized by the Government, applicable at all times, including weekends and school holidays.
This fare adjustment follows a thorough review by the FCCC, which has shifted to a per-seat fare model. The review, conducted in close cooperation with bus industry operators, guarantees fair compensation for bus operators through a complete cost recovery model. This initiative is designed to sustain the industry while keeping fares affordable for consumers.
Abraham emphasized the importance of bus operators maintaining and improving service quality with the new fare structure. He stated, “We will closely monitor the services provided by bus operators to ensure they meet the expected standards and deliver value to passengers in line with the fare changes.”
Looking forward, the FCCC plans to initiate the next bus fare review process in September 2024, commencing with data collection and in-depth analysis to ensure that future fare adjustments reflect market conditions while balancing consumer and industry interests.