The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the Cabinet has approved a full subsidy for increased bus fares starting this month for all students possessing blue and yellow bus cards.
Aseri Radrodro, the Minister Responsible for Education, stated that there will be a complete 100 percent subsidy for blue card holders and a 50 percent subsidy for yellow card holders, ensuring that parents will not incur any additional costs.
Students are encouraged to continue using their blue and yellow cards as they have previously. Blue card holders can start redeeming their bus cards today, with the Ministry committing to pay the entire subsidy directly to Vodafone at the end of each month. For yellow card holders, the process remains the same as before, requiring parental top-ups, while the Ministry will cover the 50 percent subsidy directly to Vodafone at month’s end.
Radrodro also mentioned that the existing restrictions on the usage of blue subsidised cards will still be in effect:
– Blue cards will not be operational during school holidays and on weekends.
– There are restricted usage times for blue subsidised cards:
– 6:30 am to 9:00 am and 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
– A 15-minute blackout period is in place between uses for blue card holders.