Fiji’s e-ticketing system is facing significant challenges, with emerging discrepancies highlighting that buses are operating at full capacity while only approximately half of passengers are utilizing the bus card payment system. This issue has raised concerns about revenue losses that could potentially lead to increased bus fares.
Officials from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Fiji Bus Operators Association revealed that audits and enforcement checks show a disconnect between reported passenger payments and actual bus capacity. LTA Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa pointed out this inconsistency, particularly in buses serving interior communities and towns, where while buses leave full, data indicates that only about 50 percent of riders are tapping their cards.
Rokosawa emphasized the financial strain this fare pilferage puts on bus operators, warning that ongoing losses could complicate their ability to provide services. Should this trend continue, operators might have no choice but to engage with the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission regarding fare reviews.
Richard Lal, President of the Fiji Bus Operators Association, echoed these sentiments, stressing that the e-ticketing system’s success hinges on full compliance from all commuters. He cautioned that the decline in bus revenue, attributed to non-payment and cash handling by drivers, could inevitably force an increase in bus fares.
The LTA also expressed concerns that the continuous bleeding of revenue poses a threat to the sustainability of essential bus routes, especially in rural and interior areas where buses serve as a crucial and affordable transport option. Consequently, addressing this issue promptly could be vital for maintaining accessible public transport in Fiji, ensuring that all communities remain connected and viable.
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