Council Calls for Bus Freight Charges to be Regulated
June 6, 2022
The Consumer Council of Fiji (CCoF) in efforts to protect the rights and interests of Fijian commuters is currently working on a submission to the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) calling for the introduction of price authorizations outlining the guidelines and parameters to determine bus freight costs.
This submission, on behalf of Fijian commuters has been triggered by the current practice where freight charges are determined in an ad hoc manner by the bus drivers and checkers.
CCoF Chief Executive Officer Ms Seema Shandil says that there is an urgent need to bring in guidelines which provides clear demarcation of freight cost for transporting different products based on pre-defined parameters.
“What we have discovered is that the drivers and checkers either look at the product or lift it to determine its weight which is then used to decide the cost for transporting the product. This practice places commuters at a disadvantage as there is no consistency in price determination and consumers have no choice but to pay whatever is being demanded,” said Ms Shandil.
The submission will also encompass the inconsistent manner in which prices are being charged by bus drivers and checkers for the same products and the very real possibility of consumers been robbed in broad daylight by this practice.
The Council is calling on all consumers to make their voice heard by sharing their views onthe issue with the Council.
“Whilst the Council always ensures that consumer voice is prominently represented in all submissions, we also want consumers to let us know about the issues which they are facing in relation to bus freight cost and what they think is the best solution. We need to have a concerted effort and work in solidarity to ensure such practices are forced out of the market through regulations and policies,” added Ms Shandil.
Consumers wishing to share their views are encouraged to make a submission through the‘requests for submissions’ portal on the Consumer Council of Fiji website. Alternatively,consumers can email their submissions to info@consumersfiji.org or call our toll-free number 155.