Proposed increase in bus fares and a new rate for students on the table

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through a notice of intended action, the Commerce Commission — the local government’s regulator for public transportation and commercial vehicles —  is proposing to increase aiga bus rates and establish a new high school and elementary school bus fare under the American Samoa Administrative Code, the local regulation, as well as other amendments related to commercial vehicle transportation.

Additionally, the new proposed amendments would also establish a new Chapter 02, under the regulations, to provide for fines for owners of commercial vehicles, commercial carriers, and passengers. The Commission’s amendments also make several technical changes to current regulations.

Interested persons may submit written comments on the proposed amendments to the Department of Commerce (DOC) on or before May 30, according to the Commission’s notice dated May 08 and signed by chairman, Manu Talamoa.

A copy of the proposed amendments is available to the public and may be picked up at the DOC on the second floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei; ask for Latisha Olo, Fuli Solaita or Alexander Zodiacal. The proposed amendments can also be downloaded from the ASG website on (www.americansamoa.gov).

The Commission will issue a future notice on the next process after the deadline for submitting comments, as well as when the new amendments goes into effect. No public hearing is scheduled at this point.

BUS FARES

According to the proposed amendments the Commission intends to implement an overall increase for one-way bus fare by 25-cents per person from the current rate.  For example, from the Marist Brother's Rectory in Atu'u to the end of Faga'alu village, the rate will increase from $1 oneway to $1.25.

Another example: From the Fagatogo Market place to the airport, areas on west side of airport intersection up to Leone-Auma including Ili'ili, Vaitogi, Mapusagafou, Taputimu, Vailoatai, and Malaeloa — the rate increase to $1.75 one-way.

Also been amended is charter fares for buses. Under the new rates, the one-way charter is at a maximum of $200 while its a maximum of $350 for round trip.

Remain unchanged in current regulation is that there is “a minimum” fare of $0.50 for intra-village and inter-village travel in areas not distinctly covered in the bus rate; and the same fare of 50 cents be charged for any ride between any two adjacent points stated in the published bus rates.

STUDENT FARES

The amendments establish by regulation the “High School and Elementary School bus rates”. The maximum one-way rate that may be charged by commercial buses for full-time students enrolled at any public or private high school or elementary school in American Samoa is 50 cents one-way.

The student must present to the driver during each ride a valid student identification card issued by the school, if any; must be traveling either from home to school or from school to home; while regular bus rates apply on weekends and school holidays.

ASCC STUDENTS

According to the amendments, the Commission seeks to increase from the current 50 cents to $1 the maximum one-way fare for students attending the American Samoa Community College.

And the rate applies to full time students; must provide the driver their full-time student ID issued by ASCC; traveling either from home to the college or from the college to home; and, the regular bus fare applies on weekends and college holidays.

NEW CHAPTER

The new Chapter 2, proposed in the amendments deals with “Fines” that have already been adopted into regulation but are now set up under the new chapter.

For example, under the subtitle “Owner of Commercial Vehicle Fines” the fine is $50 for failure to provide a litter container in the bus — in accordance with current regulations. And it’s the same fine-amount for failure to display inside the bus the rate schedule.

This new chapter also outlines the fines for commercial carriers for violation of current regulations. For example, the fine is $200 for operating a bus or taxi beyond the maximum occupancy.

And this section also covers the passenger fine of $50 for smoking inside a taxi or bus. And this is the same fine for commercial vehicles — a bus or taxi — that fails to post a sign inside prohibiting smoking.

It’s also a $50 fine for failure to comply with the tint restrictions, as cited in the current regulations, as well as failure to comply with side loading and emergency exits of buses.

BACKGROUND

Of interest, according to some bus passengers, there are some buses that have already ‘posted’ an increase in their fares, and these increases proposed by the Commerce Commission are not surprising, and in some cases lower than what is currently being charged.

For example, any ‘leg’ of the bus ride that is in addition to the regular route (on the main road) an additional $1.00 or $2.00 is added, depending on the bus. This means if you’re coming from Fagatogo to inside Fagaima or Petesa, it’s a $2.00 or $3.00 fare (depending on the bus), but if you stay on the main road and get off the bus, it’s usually $1.00.