Thirteen bus drivers up North are in limbo after the Land Transport Authority declined to renew their licences.
The unexpected development has not only thrown their livelihoods into jeopardy but also plunged their families into financial uncertainty.
Driver Anand Kumar told The Fiji Times he might not send his eight-year-old son to school because he won’t be able to buy food for him.
“I have a wife and son to feed,” Mr Kumar said.
He said he now finds himself facing the harsh reality of unpaid penalties and looming loan payments.
“Driving buses for 20 years was not just a job, it was our lifeline,” he said, adding the LTA decision was harsh.
“We received our notices on March 11 advising us our licences won’t be renewed for two years.”
Mr Kumar appealed to the Government for a swift resolution and reinstatement of their licences.
“I urge the authorities to consider the human cost of their action and the ripple effect on families who depend on our income.”
In response, authority acting CEO Irimaia Rokosawa said the licences were cancelled because the average number of traffic infringement notices the drivers accumulated was 67.
“The highest number of traffic infringement notices accrued by a single driver was 115,” Mr Rokosawa said.
Following the proceedings, Mr Rokosawa said it was determined that 12 public service vehicle licence holders would be suspended for two years. Unfortunately, he said, one driver failed to attend the hearing as scheduled.
