PNG Price Regulator, Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC), has put PMV Operators and drivers in Port Moresby on notice for charging passengers above the approved rates.
The approved rates for all city routes is 80 toea and city residents have been called to report PMV buses charging fees above this rate.
PMV operators have been called to immediately put a stop to this.
ICCC issued the notice today after meeting with police for prosecution to begin in the next two weeks, if PMV owners and drivers do not comply with the directions.
ICCC warned PMV owners and drivers not to charge passengers above the approved rate – 80 toea in all city routes as they risk prosecution under the provisions of the Prices Regulation Act and ICCC Act.
Over the next two weeks, The Commission together with the Police will monitor fares on various routes and have called on passengers to assist by reporting any PMV bus seen to be overcharging passengers.
The following details should be provided to ICCC when reporting:
- The Registration Number of the bus
- The particular route the offence occurred
- Tie and date of the offence
- And the complaint’s name and contact details.
The Commission says it understands in circumstances such as road repairs that are conducted over extended periods but PMV operators should approach them in advance of any decision to overcharge passengers and not to decide unilaterally or as a group.
It says this will put them at risk of breaking the laws and penalties can be imposed for such breaches.
PMV owners and drivers have been called to contact ICCC if they are able to demonstrate to ICCC that they are incurring additional costs.
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