Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad has confirmed that the additional estimated cost for transportation subsidy for students is around $23m for the financial year 2024-25.
The government will fully subsidize increased bus fares for all students with blue and yellow bus cards, effective September 1st.
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has adopted a new fare calculation methodology in consultation with the Fiji Bus Operators Association, recommending that student fares be the same as adult fares.
The DPM has approved no additional cost for students or their families. The government will subsidise the additional increase in fares.
The regulated student fare is 50% of the adult fare at every stage. The government has allocated $37 million for transport assistance in the 2024-25 budget.
With student fares doubling, the additional cost exposure for subsidised students with “blue cards” is projected to be around $18.0 million.
In comparison, non-subsidised students with “yellow cards” will face an additional cost of around $5 million.
Around 90,000 students currently benefit from this program.
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