As the FCCC is reviewing bus fares after receiving a submission from a coalition of bus operators, the operators are calling on the government to 100% subsidise bus fare for students as they cannot afford to subsidise 50 percent while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says the government is open to further discussion with the bus industry.
FCCC received a collective submission from a group of prominent companies in the industry, including Tacirua Transport Ltd, Shore Buses Ltd, Cityline Buses Ltd, Raiwaqa Buses Ltd, Citiline Buses Ltd, Nairs Transport Company Ltd, Nakasi Davuilevu Buses Pte Ltd, Nasese Buses Ltd, Island Buses Ltd, George Transport Ltd, Taunovo Transport Ltd, Shankar Singh Transport Ltd, and Dee Cees Bus Service Ltd.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Raiwaqa Buses Ltd Managing Director Ashish Kumar says the government pays 50 percent and the balance is subsidised by the industry but they do not want to do that anymore as they cannot afford to.
Kumar says he urgently wants the issue to be attended to as it is not the responsibility of private companies but of the government.
He also says fuel prices are volatile and unpredictable and are also calling for an increase in bus fare for adult passengers but says he cannot divulge the increase they are proposing. The Managing Director says a decision needs to be made urgently as the delay may cause disruption in service as companies cannot afford to buy fuel.
He says the Land Transport Authority is not allowing for buses to carry standing passengers and this has seriously affected their current capacity and net margin.
Kumar says a 65-seater bus was allowed to carry 86 school students but now, they can only load a maximum of 65 passengers or the maximum seating capacity for the particular bus.
He says the bus companies will abide by the law but the cost of seats will go up and it would be unfair to put bus companies under pressure and them to operate at same cost.
In an interview with fijivillage News, Professor Biman Prasad says as assured the bus operators that as a government, they are fully committed to ensuring there is efficient bus transport.
He says they understand the concerns with respect to fluctuating fuel costs which is dependent on what happens in the world market.
Professor Prasad says fuel supply was cut off and they are hoping production will be restored and the price will come down to a more reasonable level.
He adds the government has subsidised 50 percent bus fare for students but they are open to discussions with the bus industry.
