Association President Nisar Ali Shah says with fuel prices continuing to remain high and the possibility of further increases, they believe urgent consideration is required to reinstate the support to help operators maintain sustainable and reliable public transport services.
He says they made a formal submission to the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission seeking consideration of the reinstatement of the 22.5 percent support and is currently awaiting a response.
Ali further says bus industry provides an essential public transport service to the people of Fiji.
He says operators are working to maintain services despite the increasing fuel costs, but the continued escalation in fuel prices is creating significant challenges for the sustainability of bus operations.
Ali stresses if operators are unable to sustain their operations, the impact will ultimately be felt by the travelling public.
The Association has called a meeting of its members next Wednesday to discuss the ongoing fuel crisis and its impact on the bus industry.
The Association says they will also seek to engage with Government, the FCCC and other relevant authorities to identify an urgent and sustainable way forward for the bus industry.
Ali adds the Association remains committed to working constructively with Government and the relevant authorities to ensure that the bus industry can continue providing safe, reliable and affordable public transport services to the people of Fiji.
