New Efate Bus Fares Take Effect Today
August 31, 2026 11:11 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Doddy Morris.
New bus fares for Efate take effect today, with passengers paying fares based on five-kilometre zones established by the Public Land Transport Authority (PLTA).
PLTA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Reginald Tabi told Daily Post yesterday that the authority has been working on the changes since March this year and has been installing bus fare signs around Efate last week and this week.
He also appealed to communities and leaders to take care of the signs being installed around the island.
The first five-kilometre zone has a bus fare of VT150, with the fare increasing by VT50 for every additional five kilometres.
Tabi said the cut-off points for the VT150 fare within the Port Vila Municipal boundary include Blacksands Bridge on Blacksand Road, Salili Store on Mele Road, Switi in Erangorango, Breakas on Pango Road, the SDA Church Erakor Half Road on Erakor Road, the area after the late Harry Iauko on Club Hippique Road, Les Alize on Monmartre Road, and Sunset Bungalow on Teouma Road.
He explained that areas within the same five-kilometre zone will pay the same bus fare.
For example, passengers travelling to Malapoa College, Anamburu, Ohlen, Beverly Hills, Freshwota and Bladiniere Estate will pay VT150.
The same system applies to other areas located within the additional five-kilometre zones around Efate, with the fare increasing by VT50 as passengers travel further from Port Vila.
Student ID Cards
Tabi said PLTA had also been preparing schools for the introduction of student identification cards, which students will use as proof of their status when travelling on public transport.
He said the office issued a public notice on March 24, 2026, which included information about student ID cards.
According to Tabi, PLTA prepared letters for schools around Port Vila and provided a letter to the Shefa Education Office to distribute to schools in rural areas.
The authority also wrote to the Director General of Education seeking assistance to ensure schools issue student ID cards.
Tabi said PLTA believed it had given schools enough time to prepare the cards.
He questioned who should be held responsible if passengers complain about being charged the wrong fare.
“Will we blame the drivers? Will parents of students blame PLTA?” he asked.
PLTA said the names of places covered by each five-kilometre zone will be made public when the official order is issued.
Members of the public seeking more information can visit the PLTA office at the SHEFA Provincial Government compound or call 23100.
