PMV drivers welcome fares increase

The National National
Philip Walayia

By PETER ESILA and DALE LUMA
BUS and taxi operators are happy with the decision by the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) to increase fares in the new year.
ICCC commissioner chief executive officer Paulus Ain said the increases were based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index in the 12 months to September, 2021 and the increase in retail prices for diesel this year.
Taxi driver Philip Walayia who operates in Port Moresby said: “I am happy with the decision to increase the taxi fares.
“It will help my business. Fuel price has increased and it’s hard for us to make a good profit.
“For example, when we transport customers from Waigani Central to Gerehu, it costs around K30 which some good customers pay.
“Others give only K20 which because a lot of taxis are operating, we just have to accept.
“For fuel, if we put K30 or K40 in, it last for two or three trips.”
Bus driver Andrew Lam said: “The prices of goods and services have increased but bus fares remain at K1.
“Some of the new buses have loans.
“When the daily taking is low, the bus owner struggles to pay the loan.
The new maximum taxi and bus fares are:

  • PORT Moresby: K1.20 per adult passenger;
  • ALOTAU Alotau: K1 per adult passenger;
  • POPONDETTA: 90 toea per adult passenger;
  • LAE: K1 per adult passenger;
  • GOROKA: 90 toea per adult passenger; and,
  • KOKOPO: K1.10 per adult passenger.