Free Bus Fare Scheme recipients should ensure that their cards are updated with the $40 e-transport top up every month before using bus services.
Fiji Bus Operators Association President Richard Lal says this will help reduce miscommunications with bus drivers.
This follows reports received from recipients that bus drivers don’t allow them to travel long distance using their $40 top-up.
Lad says they haven’t received any reports from recipients regarding the issue and will not tolerate such acts.
" I am not aware of any incident as such but if there is, I think what they need to do is the very person that is having this difficulty should first go to a Vodafone outlet to see whether their card has been uploaded. Whether is long or short distance, the system must work. There should be no problem. It’s not the drivers’ decision, it’s the system.”
Social Welfare Permanent Secretary Dr. Josefa Koroivueta says the top up can be used in any bus that provides service.
The $40 top-up is given on a monthly basis to senior citizens and persons with disabilities under the Free Bus Fare Scheme.
A total of 51,000 recipients are currently under the scheme.
