Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — An increase in aiga bus rates including new high school and elementary school bus fares went into effect on July 19, after the Commerce Commission — the local government’s regulator for public transportation and commercial vehicles — completed the rule adoption process, as required by local law and regulation.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the Commerce Commission, through a notice of intended action, issued May 8, proposed 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 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. And interested persons were given on or before May 30 to submit written comments on the proposed amendments.

Commerce Commission chairman, Manu Talamoa, informed the Secretary of American Samoa, Lt. Gov. Talauega E. V. Ale, in a June 23 letter that the notice of the proposed rule was first advertised on KVZK-TV and the ASG webpage on May 8. After the 20-day comment period no hearing was requested or held.

Therefore, the Commission adopted the new rules, effective July 19 and filed with the Secretary of American Samoa’s Office, which oversees the American Samoa Administrative Code.

The new rule implements an overall increase for one-way bus fares by 25-cents per person from the previous rate.  For example, from the Marist Brother's Rectory in Atu'u to the end of Faga'alu village, the new one-way is $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 increased to $1.75 one-way.

Under the new rates, the one-way charter is at a maximum of $200 while it’s a maximum of $350 for a round trip.

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

STUDENT FARES

The new rule sets up 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 new rule, one one-way fare for students attending the American Samoa Community College is now $1. And the rate applies to full time students; who 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.

Specific details of the new change are posted via notice on the ASG website (www.americansamoa.gov).