Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has emphasized the need for improved public bus services in Fiji, criticizing the country’s dependency on a single e-ticketing provider. He believes that commuters deserve an efficient service, irrespective of which company is managing the e-ticketing system. “Whether Vodafone got there first, I don’t care. I want the people to get good service,” he declared, addressing the growing complaints from the public regarding the current e-ticketing platform.
Complaints have been surfacing about issues such as faulty top-ups, malfunctioning machines, untraceable card balances, and a shortage of customer service agents. Mr. Rabuka called for a review of the original plan to diversify suppliers for e-ticketing services, stressing the importance of considering the needs of ordinary commuters: “The bottom line is how the bus-traveling people are catered for.”
In response to these challenges, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica has been in discussions with Vodafone executives. He has pledged to enhance oversight of the system and facilitate a smoother customer experience. The ongoing frustrations, which have even led to incidents of elderly patrons fainting from long waiting times, highlight the urgency for reform.
Vodafone has acknowledged the complaints and is committed to improving the customer experience by increasing resources and optimizing the registration process. They have begun updating their social media with information about card replacement locations and expanding seating capacity where longer wait times have been reported.
Collaboration between the government, Vodafone, and community advocacy groups showcases a concerted commitment to enhance public transport systems. Past instances have demonstrated that addressing public discontent can lead to valuable improvements, such as the introduction of offline top-up capabilities following prior connectivity issues.
The optimism around these changes suggests that, with effective collaboration and attentiveness to the community’s needs, Fiji’s public transportation system could evolve into a more reliable and accessible service for all.
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