Student fares to be the same as adult fares, Govt to fully cover 50% of students’ bus fare increase from 1st Sept

The government has announced that student fares are now set to match adult fares, and based on this bus fare for all students is set to increase by 50 percent from the 1st of September.

Following this determination by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, Cabinet has decided that the Government will cover the hike for students with blue and yellow bus cards, ensuring no additional cost burden on them. Previously, student fares were regulated at 50 percent of the adult fare at every stage.

Cabinet says the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission completed a review of the existing bus fares and introduced the new fare calculation methodology in consultation with the Fiji Bus Operators Association.

They say to support students, the Government will continue to fully subsidize those with blue cards under the transport assistance scheme.

The government will also subsidize the 50 percent fare increase for students using yellow cards, maintaining their access to affordable transportation.

We have sent questions to FCCC on when the consultations were held, who were consulted, and whether time was given for the public to be consulted as well.

We are also trying to speak to Acting Prime Minister, Viliame Gavoka on what is the timeframe for subsidy for the yellow cards.