A sub-committee has been set up by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama to look into the grievances of the Fiji Bus Operators Association.
Bus services were ceased for two hours this morning, however, this was resumed after the Interim Prime Minister intervened.
Association general secretary Chaitanya Lakshman said the committee headed by the Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will meet this Saturday.
The committee comprises of all relevant stakeholders including the Bus Operators, FIRCA, LTA, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport.
Lakshman said the recommendation of the sub-committee will be taken to cabinet next week.
"After assurances by the Interim Prime Minister that a sub committee will be set up, to look at the plight and the grievances of the association the association commenced operations," Lakshman said.
"The subcommittee will meet this coming Saturday and the Interim PM is very understanding of the situation and has said that a lot of positivity will come out of the sub committee that will be headed by the Attorney General," he said.
"In fact, the operations were ceased – it was not a strike – because bus operators could not continue operating at a loss. I don’t know whether people understand the plight of the operators."
Lakshman has highlighted that the main reason for their action this morning was cabinet's decision on Tuesday to reduce rebate from 18% to 10%.
He stressed that apart from the 10% fare increase in January this year, no other assistance is given by the interim government as costs continue to rise.
Lakshman also highlighted that the main reason for ceasing operations this morning was cabinet's decision on Tuesday to reduce rebate from 18% to 10%.
According to Lakshman, bus operators are not wealthy and this perception of some people is not correct.
"I think we have submitted 17 financial statements to the LTA. They speak volumes for themselves. They're financially audited statement which show they're suffering a loss so are those statements lying or are the auditors lying," Lakshman said. "Somebody's taken a mortgage to cover themselves. Do you still think they are wealthy? They are providing a service that no one is appreciative of."
After concerns were raised by members of the public this morning as to why bus operators are calling for bus fare increases and other concessions when they are seen driving around in luxury vehicles and living in comfortable homes, Lakshman said this has been inherited from their forefathers.
"This is a certain perception that people have and they try and poison other people's minds. They should see this industry - most of them i would say, 90% - they are second, third or fourth generation operators. It has been built on the blood and sweat of their forefathers. Some things they are still working on," he said.
"It's a struggle - they work with people up to the last shifts. many people work from 8 to 4 - the operaators have their buses on the road before people wake up - are they sleeping or enjoying their lunch. "You must think of things from their perspectives and not to suit your political agenda. You must understand the situation very well before commenting."
Meanwhile, an official police investigation is underway to determine if any law was breached this morning by the strike action taken by the Bus Operators.
Director Operations, SSP Waisea Tabakau said an investigation is necessary as the strike had a direct effect on the country's economy and people.
