(1) NO-BRIBERY POLICY
(2) VEHICLE INSPECTION/ROADWORTHINESS
(3) IMPLEMENTATION OF BODY CAMERAS FOR ENFORCEMENT
SUVA, Fiji (10th November 2025): The Land Transport Authority acknowledges the comments raised by Honourable Member of Parliament Rinesh Sharma during parliamentary session on 4th November 2025 regarding the need for enhanced anti-corruption measures and transparency within the Land Transport Authority.
The Authority welcomes the Honourable Member’s observations and recognition of the ongoing efforts by the Authority to strengthen integrity and accountability in its regulatory functions.
The Authority reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that all operations are guided by principles of good governance, transparency, and ethical service delivery. Continuous reforms are being implemented to promote a culture of integrity, improve operational efficiency, and restore public confidence in the transport regulatory system.
The following provides clarification and updates on the initiatives currently being undertaken to address the matters highlighted by Hon. Sharma.
1. No-Bribery Policy
The Authority upholds a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and unethical conduct. This policy reinforces the Government’s broader commitment to integrity and accountability within all public institutions. Any officer found engaging in corrupt practices will face disciplinary action in accordance with the Authority’s Human Resource Policy and relevant public service regulations.
The Authority will continue to strengthen internal controls, compliance systems, and staff awareness programs to ensure that such standards are upheld across all operations.
2. Annual Roadworthiness and Certificate of Fitness (COF)
LTA conducts annual vehicle inspections for all public service vehicles (PSVs), including omnibuses, to issue the Certificate of Fitness (COF). This inspection process is comprehensive and stringent, carried out by our qualified and certified Vehicle Examiners across all LTA stations in Fiji.
For older buses, inspections are conducted biannually to ensure more frequent monitoring. These inspections assess critical safety components such as braking systems, tyres, lights, and structural integrity. Only buses that meet the required technical and safety standards are issued with a valid COF.
However, factors such as road conditions, vehicle age, and maintenance practices can affect a bus’s condition between inspection cycles. To address this, Authority has implemented the Quality Assurance Maintenance System (QAMS). Under QAMS, every bus company is subject to a comprehensive audit at least once a year. Based on company performance and compliance, follow-up audits may be carried out within three months, six months, or one year.
During QAMS audits, LTA officers assess not only the company’s maintenance facilities, documentation, and service records, but also conduct on-site fleet inspections to verify that operators have an adequate number of roadworthy buses to meet their permit obligations. Any bus found with defects are issued Defect Orders and are re-inspected to confirm compliance before returning to service.
From 1st January 2025 to 31st October 2025, LTA has conducted a total of 47 QAMS inspections throughout Fiji where a total of 818 buses were inspected. Of these, 24 companies and 334 buses were inspected in the Western Region, 20 companies and 371 buses were inspected in the Central/Eastern Region and 3 companies and 113 buses were inspected in the Northern Division. There are currently 53 operators and 1,218 buses registered with the Authority.
From 2024, the Authority has further strengthened this framework by introducing a bi-annual Fleet Audit exercise, which complements the annual roadworthiness inspections and QAMS audits. These targeted fleet audits enable LTA to focus on compliance trends and ensure continuous monitoring of bus conditions throughout the year.
From 1st January 2025 to 31st October 2025, LTA has conducted a total of 18 fleet audit inspections throughout Fiji where a total of 478 buses were inspected. Of these, 8 companies and 234 buses were inspected in the Western Region, 7 companies and 130 buses were inspected in the Central/Eastern Region and 3 companies and 114 buses were inspected in the Northern Division. The Authority will continue conducting its QAMS and fleet audit inspections in line with its annual work plan.
Additionally, LTA officers, alongside stakeholder partner Fiji Police Force, conduct roadside enforcement checks where buses are inspected for visible or safety-related defects.
Defect Orders are issued immediately for any non-compliance identified during these checks. The Authority will continue to monitor operators’ progress to ensure full compliance with the issued orders. Through these combined initiatives, from 1st January 2025 to 31st October 2025, a total of 512 defect orders have been issued to buses by the LTA out of which 389 have been successful uplifted after undergoing repairs.
It is important to note that during the same period, there were 2,133 instances of buses being issued with speeding fines through LTAs speed camera operations and 25 instances of bus drivers being issued TINs for careless driving, highlighting driver attitude as an area of concern.
LTA has also continued with the process of showcause hearings, where PSV operators who consistently fail to meet fleet standards are required to present before the LTA Board to justify their non-compliance and outline corrective actions. For the period 1st January to 27th October 2025, a total of 559 showcause proceedings were conducted. Of these, 15 involved Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driver licence holders, resulting in 11 suspensions, 4 licence cancellations, and warnings issued to the remaining drivers.
The Authority continues to work closely with bus operators through this multi-layered system, combining scheduled inspections, compliance audits, and roadside enforcement, to ensure that Fiji’s public transport fleet remains safe, reliable, and compliant with national standards.
3. Implementation of Body Cameras for Enforcement and Inspection Officers
The Authority acknowledges the remarks made by Hon. Sharma highlighting the importance of body-worn cameras in promoting transparency and ensuring officer safety during road inspections and enforcement duties. This initiative is essential to strengthening accountability while safeguarding both the public and LTA officers in the performance of their duties. The Authority has so far procured five body cameras. These are currently being piloted in the Central Division.
In addition to enforcement and compliance, the Authority is actively engaged in public awareness and education programs focusing on vehicle safety, roadworthiness, and passenger safety.
From 1st January to 31st October 2025, LTA has so far conducted 847 school education and awareness activities impacting 184,081 students, 83 public outreach impacting 67,436 people, 867 office utreach impacting 19,750 office workers, 228 driver roadside awareness impacting 18,661 drivers, 191 passenger roadside awareness impacting 50,965 passengers, 165 pedestrian roadside awareness impacting 9,445 pedestrians, 412 community outreach awareness impacting 214,869 people and 284 Defensive Driving Course awareness impacting 9,563 participants.
A total of 2241 awareness activities were carried out with an impact of 431,998, including media advocacy and awareness on traditional and non-traditional news media platforms. These initiatives will continue throughout the year.
These initiatives aim to strengthen the culture of safety among operators, drivers, and the traveling public, ensuring a safer and more reliable public transport system for all Fijians. Currently, Fiji has 15,913 valid PSV permit holders and 360,483 registered driver licence holders in the country as of 31st October 2025.
MR. IRIMAIA ROKOSAWA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY