The Independent Consumer & Competition Commission (ICCC) released a public notice informing all relevant stakeholders, commuters and the public that the maximum PMV and taxi fares for 2023 will increase on average.
The increase is due to the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as published by the National Statistical Office (NSO), and due to the significant increase in fuel prices this year, 2022.
The 2023 PMV and Taxi fares were determined, in accordance with Section 21 of the Prices Regulations Act Chapter 320 (PR Act). The PMV and taxi fares are only applicable to the licensed urban and non-urban routes approved by respective Provincial Land Transport Boards, and the Road Traffic Authority (RTA).
Urban PMV Fares:
Based on the increase in the CPI and retail prices for diesel for the 12-month period ending September 2022, the maximum approved PMV are for the licensed urban routes in the country for 2023 are as follows:
- Port Moresby: K1.40 per adult passenger, per trip (an increase of 20 toea);
- Alotau: K1.20 per adult passenger, per trip (an increase of 20 toea);
- Popondetta: K1.10 per adult passenger, per trip (an increase of 20 toea);
- Lae: K1.30 per adult passenger, per trip (an increase of 30 toea);
- Goroka: K1.10 per adult passenger, per trip (an increase of 20 toea);
- Mt. Hagen: K1.10 per adult passenger, per trip (an increase of 20 toea); and
- Kokopo: K1.40 per adult passenger, per trip (an increase of 30 toea).
Non-Urban PMV Fares
The PMV fares for all on-urban routes throughout the country will also increase on average by more than 22 percent in2023 due to the significant increase in fuel prices this year, 2022.
Taxi Fares
Based on the increase in the CPI and the average increase in the retail prices for petrol in all provincial towns where taxi services are provided, the maximum flag fall rate (starting rate) has increased from:
- K3.40 to K3.90 (increase by (50 toea); and
- Maximum distance rate (per km) has also increased from K4.60 to K5.20 (increase by (60 toea).
Copies of the National Gazette can be obtained from the Government Printing Office, ICCC regional offices, the ICCC website at www.iccc.gov.pg or ICCC’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/icccpng.