Bus Fares To Increase Starting January
December 2, 2024 9:42 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Doddy Morris and Harry Leo.
Beginning January 1, 2025, the adult bus fare in Port Vila and its urban areas is set to increase from VT150 to VT200, reflecting a 33.33% rise.
Donald Massing, President of the SHEFA Port Vila Land Transport Association (SPLTA), said the increase follows the endorsement made at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, November 29, with the change taking effect in 28 days from today.
“This new bus fee applies only to adults; primary students and children will still pay VT50, secondary students VT100, and education-related travel, such as to the University of South Pacific and INTV, will remain at VT50.
“We are trying to categorise these groups. For areas like Teouma, the fare remains the same at VT200. These changes apply only to urban areas,” he said.
“This standard price has already been partially implemented. The PLTA Board has endorsed it, and the law has been gazetted. However, PLTA’s CEO informed us that the person responsible for signing the document refused to sign it. The Association questions why Tanna’s fees have increased, and we are wondering if they followed the proper process. Tanna’s fare has increased to VT200, and Malekula’s fare is VT150. We are seeking justice on this matter,” Massing told the Daily Post.
He also mentioned that recently the Asian Development Bank (ADB) engaged a team to assess the land transport sector in Vanuatu. The ADB has express that it is time to increase the fees. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of goods has risen, but the bus fare has remained at VT150.
“There were four topics discussed at the AGM: the development of the association, investment opportunities, the new voucher system at the wharf to address congestion, and the road conditions. We will wait for the new government to see how we can approach them regarding these matters,” he said.
However, there have been public comments about the fare increase, with some buses lacking air conditioning and having door issues. In response, Mr. Massing stated that the existing fare was insufficient to cover vehicle spare parts, which is the responsibility of the Public Works Department (PWD).
“Transport businesses are not the same as other businesses. We pay more fees compared to other business, and we are on the road, where police are always monitoring us. Any minor damage results in a huge fine,” he explained.
“You need to consider both sides of the coin. When you pay for roadworthiness, is the road worthy or not? It’s a win-win situation. If the government fixes the roads, they can also tighten up the regulations,” he added.
The SPLTA’s AGM last Friday at the Convention Centre in Port Vila was attended by over 100 members, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Land Transport Authority (PLTA), Reginald Tabi.
The meeting, which discussed raising bus fees from VT150 to VT200, heard members of the Association voice concerns about the poor road conditions, especially on the Island of Efate, and called on the relevant government authorities to step up and address the issue.
Tension ran high during the meeting when a member questioned why the North Efate Land Transport Association had reportedly raised its fare to VT500, which had been in effect for some time, and noted the bus fare increase on Tanna.
Findings revealed that both associations had raised their fares without approval from the PLTA.
As such, all members of the SPLTA strongly supported an increase in adult bus fares in Port Vila to VT200, effective from 1st of January 2025.
However, CEO Tabi explained the process to the members, saying if his signature alone had been required, it would have already been done. But the law required other signatories, which resulted in the delay.
He cautioned that implementing the proposed VT50 increase without full authorised approval would be illegal.
