The Central Eastern Mini Buses Association is raising concerns that have been asking for an increase in mini bus fare for almost 20 years now but nothing has been done about it to date.
General Secretary Yashwardhan Ram says they have written a letter to the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission asking for an increase of 50 cents from one town to another.
He says the last fare that was approved for mini buses was in the year 2000 when the Land Transport Authority was first formed and the mini buses were introduced.
Ram says he cannot understand why they are victimised and discriminated against as taxi and bus fares have been increased a number of times since then.
He says with no fare increase, a lot of mini bus operators are selling their business as illegal private vans are taking away the lion’s share of the profit despite constant complaints to the concerned authorities.
Meanwhile the FCCC say the reasons for price changes supported by financial and operational analysis lacks supporting evidence and rationale to justify the request.
They have requested a meeting with the executives of Central Division Mini Buses Association to discuss elements of the submission and review process.
