Starting Sunday, September 1, student bus fares will see an increase, though those using blue and yellow bus cards will remain unaffected.
Joel Abraham, CEO of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), stated that while student fares have been adjusted to match adult fares, the Government will completely subsidize this increase.
To alleviate any financial burden on families, the assessment confirmed that these changes will have no financial impact on students and parents. The Government’s subsidy will cover any extra costs for students, including weekends and school holidays, while the adult fare will not change.
Fare Details include:
– Blue Card: The Government will subsidize 100% of the additional student fare.
– Yellow Card: Students will continue to pay the current fare, with the remainder funded by the Government, applicable at all times, including weekends and school holidays.
This fare change follows a thorough review by the FCCC, which implemented a per-seat fare allocation model. The review, conducted in close cooperation with bus industry operators, ensures that bus operators receive fair compensation through a complete cost allocation recovery model.
Abraham highlighted that this initiative is intended to sustain the industry while keeping services affordable for consumers. He also stressed the importance of bus operators maintaining and improving service quality in line with the new fare structure.
“We will be closely monitoring the services provided by bus operators to ensure they meet the expected standards and deliver value to passengers in accordance with the fare adjustments.”