NEW PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES TAKE EFFECT, STRICT ENFORCEMENT TO FOLLOW

The new increased rate for both the Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) and taxi fares is now in effect, but the challenge now is the enforcement of these new rates to ensure operators do not put additional costs on top of the gazetted rates.

The new Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Commissioner, Mr. Roy Daggy said the Commission will be working alongside the Road Traffic Authority (RTA), the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) other concerned authorities to ensure enforcement is in place.

The new fare increases are now active after it was officially gazetted on the 9th of January 2026- National Gazette No. 21, which gave the go ahead for an increase of just 20toea for PMV fares and 16toea increase for taxi fares.

The breakdown of the increases in the 2026- 2030 regulation period, is as follows for the first three years,

For PMVs structure: Fare will increase by 20% in 2026, 2027 and 2028 respectively
For taxi fare structure: Fares will increase by 16% in 2026, 14% in 2027 and 10% in 2028

In terms of the annual adjustments, Commissioner Daggy explained that these phased increases will be supplemented by annual adjustments to capture changes in fuel prices (diesel and petrol) and the underlying Consumer Price Index (CPI). Therefore, for the remaining two years, the rates will change depending on the outcome of the review of fuel prices and the CPI.

Now that this has been established, the enforcement part of this is now important.

Commissioner Daggy said the ICCC will collaborate with RTA, traffic police and Provincial Land and Transport authorities to take a tough stance on non- compliance behavior.

“The penalty has been increased to K10, 000 if prosecuted summery (summery offence) and K30, 000 if prosecuted for indictment,” explained Commissioner Daggy. “Therefore, suppliers of regulated services, including PMV and taxi service providers must comply with the requirements of the law.”

The gazetted fares are maximum fares which the ICCC encourages PMV and taxi operators to apply at or below these maximum fares. If any PMV or taxis are charging above the approved fares, it will be considered illegal and in breach of the Prices Regulation Act.