Carrier transport fares in Labasa have increased following the latest fuel price hike, with drivers saying they are struggling to cope with rising operating costs.
Speaking to fijivillage News, carrier driver Nahid Khan says fares were increased on Tuesday in response to the fuel price increase.
Khan says the rise in fuel prices has forced carrier drivers to increase their charges in order to continue operating their services.
He says drivers are facing significant challenges as fuel costs continue to climb, placing additional pressure on their income.
He adds that despite the fare increase, business has been slow, and he is concerned about his ability to continue supporting his family.
The driver says he travels daily from Nagigi to Labasa in search of work and relies on income from transport jobs to provide for his household.
According to Khan, many carrier drivers depend entirely on transport work to earn a living and support their families, making the rising fuel costs even more difficult to manage.
He is now calling on the Government to look into the issue and consider providing subsidies or other forms of assistance to carrier drivers affected by the increase in fuel prices.
Carrier drivers in Labasa say they hope authorities will take action to help ease the burden of rising fuel costs as they continue to face challenges in maintaining their livelihoods.
