Bus fare increase saga
THE call by the bus operators for an increase in bus fares and the subsequent response from the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission that a review should not be rushed (FT 14/01), perhaps allows for the adoption of a more pragmatic and holistic approach to the whole bus transportation issue in Fiji rather than a piecemeal one.
Apparently, there has not been a real increase in bus fare for 10 years now. Bus fares are basically the main source of income for the operators and with the purported increases in operational costs to unprofitable levels, some bus companies, according to reports, are barely surviving.
There are obviously two main sides to the issue — the travelling public and the bus companies.
In terms of the travelling public, the issue revolves around the affordability and ability to pay for any fare increases; household and personal income levels; and the relationships between wage/salary levels and the annual inflation rates/cost of living.
In terms of the bus industry, the issue revolves around the efficiency in the operations and management of the bus companies; the commercial and business environment including duty relief, concessions and incentives; the viability of routes serviced and so on.
The current situation, just may provide us with the opportunity to relook at these from a holistic perspective.
Perhaps, as part of this we could relook at the abovementioned issues, including issues such as the adequacy of bus operations servicing bus routes and schedules; the conditions of buses; road conditions; codes of conduct for drivers, bus boys and the travelling passengers; training of drivers in defensive driving; smoke emission and so on.
“Thinking outside the box,” we might even try to look at the whole issue of nationalising our bus industry, at least for some parts of it. In this regard, probably examining the introduction of a franchise system for unserviceable and unprofitable routes, while maintaining a win-win situation for all.
This is apart from a holistic approach to re-examining household income levels and the ability for households to generate income from other sources; the minimum wage levels; and the concessionary bus fares currently granted to the public.
I believe that for all concerned, there should not be too much of a delay in resolving the current “crisis,” or it just may be the “death knell” for some bus operators.
EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour