Bus fare panel consultations hear transport issues

The former President of the Tavua Market Vendors Association on Wednesday said bus companies needed to step up their services to be abreast with the evolving times.

“We have e-ticketing now yet most of our buses in Tavua are old and rattling,” Mrs Selai Adi said. “Most of the buses are unsafe and unreliable. As travelling members of the public, we are at risk because of the conditions of these buses,” she said.

The Independent Committee Bus Fare Panel consisting of chairman Fijian Competition & Consumer Commission chief executive officer Joel Abraham, Consumer Council CEO Premila Kumar, Land Transport Authority CEO Carmine Piantedosi and Fiji National Sports Commission Chairman Peter Mazey were holding consultations in Tavua yesterday.

At the second session yesterday, the panel heard from various members of the public about bus fares, conditions of buses and timetables. Chairperson Mr Abraham said the consultations were timely as they wanted to hear the concerns of the people.

“We are undertaking a nationwide consultation to ensure that we get everybody’s view as an independent review committee will soon look at the current structure of bus fares.”

Mr Abraham said the panel has also created more channels of communication.

“We have opened up many channels of communication. We have the email platform, we have the social media, we have provided postal addresses and the public consultations are for those who want to come and orally give their comments and air their concerns,” he said.

The team will be in Lautoka today before going onto the Northern division and also Suva next week.