There is a need for a national transport plan to address issues that affect the transport industry.
The comment was made by Fiji Bus Operators Association president Richard Lal during the industry's annual convention at the Novotel Convention Centre in Lami yesterday.
Mr Lal said the plan would carry out an assessment of current transportation needs and identify how they were met by the different components of the industry.
"The current view is that there is no co-ordinated national transport plan. Components of the transport industry are not reading from the same page."
He said the plan would also provide an estimate of future growth and trends in population and infrastructure development.
Mr Lal said government needed to facilitate such a plan to envisage how future transport needs could be addressed by the different components of the industry.
The Minister for Justice, Anti-Corruption, Public Enterprises, Communications, Civil Aviation, Tourism, Industry and Trade Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the government appreciated efforts of the bus industry and said it was ready to help the industry address its problems.
"We recognise your service to Fiji is not just lip service."
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was also the event's chief guest and urged the operators to treat the relationship between the bus industry and the government as a partnership.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by the industry but also said support was offered by government.