Bus Drivers, Passengers Fined
So far 21 bus drivers and 11 passengers have been fined in the Northern Division since the introduction of the Electronic Fare Ticketing (Omnibus) Regulation 2017 on August 1, 2017.
This was revealed by Land Transport Authority Board chairperson Vijay Maharaj. He said the Electronic Fare Ticketing (Omnibus) (Amended) Regulation five stipulates an omnibus driver must ensure that all fares were paid through a bus card used on a bus card reader.
“Any omnibus driver who contravenes, commits an offence and is liable to a fixed penalty of $150,” Mr Maharaj said. “Should the driver continue to commit the same offence he shall be liable for another Traffic Infringement Notice with a fixed penalty of $150.
“Meanwhile, every passenger must ensure that he or she while travelling on an omnibus must pay the omnibus fare through bus card reader provided in the omnibus. “Failure to do so commits anoffence and is liable to a fixed penalty of $150.” Mr Maharaj said this operation would continue to ensure transparency in the bus transportation industry.
“Checks are done to ensure correct bus fares are being charged, bus companies and drivers service the routes on time and above all compliance of the regulation,” he said.
Public are advised to co-operate with the Land Transport Authority’s authorised ETicketing Enforcement Officers while these officers are conducting random checks for eTicketing bus card and other details throughout Fiji.
Additional advice given by Mr Maharaj include:
■ Drivers must ensure that all fares are paid through bus card reader provided in the omnibus;
■ They must not accept payment of another persons of omnibus fare from the following persons;
(a) Subsidised student (Sponsored by Government: Blue E-Ticketing Card).
(b) A non-subsidised student (Yellow/Red E-Ticketing card).
(c) A subsidised senior citizen or person with disability
(d) Passengers must ensure that all fares are paid through E-Ticketing card.
The following passengers must not use their cards to pay the omnibus fare of another person if holder of the following bus cards.
● Subsidised student;
● A non-subsidised student; and ● A subsidised senior citizen or person with disability (Paid by Government)
A person, who is not entitled to concession, must not use a concession bus card to pay his or her omnibus fare.
Bus passenger requirements
The Land Transport Authority wishes to advise the public that they are required to have a valid E-Ticketing card when travelling on buses throughout Fiji.
The travelling public must ensure they have a valid bus card with them at all times during their bus trip.
Where passengers are found to be without a valid bus card or have not paid the fare required to reach their destination may be liable to a fixed penalty.
Similarly, bus drivers are required to ensure correct payment of fares. Where drivers are found to be in breach of the regulations they may be liable to pay a fixed penalty.
Passengers are encouraged to validate their bus cards to avoid possible fines or disruptions to their travel.