BUSES that do not meet the standard requirements of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will have to stop running or face being taken off the road.
The LTA is in the process of reviewing the licence of the country's 56 bus operators.
Confirming this to The Fiji Times, authority spokesman Alfred Wiliame said bus licences were reviewed by the LTA every 10 years.
"When the licence expires, bus operators come forward seeking renewals," Mr Wiliame said.
He said this time the authority would be strict while renewing the licences, with factors such as the history of the bus company, the types of services and complaints from the travelling public being taken into consideration.
"The condition of some buses operating in Fiji are a critical issue and the authority will be very stringent on this matter while considering licence renewals," Mr Wiliame said.
He said the failure of operators to meet standards required by the authority would result in the non-renewal of licences.
Mr Wiliame said most buses were becoming irrelevant to the needs of the public.
"The authority will continue to issue defect orders and continue monitoring buses in the country," he said.
There are 56 bus operators in the country.
Fiji Bus Operators Association president Richard Lal declined to comment on the matter.