Rural Service Licence (RSL) driver Fereti Rikabula has questioned the Education Ministry’s sudden reduction in the payment for the daily transportation of schoolchildren from Lololo to Drasa in Lautoka.
Mr Rikabula highlighted the severe financial strain caused by the ministry’s recent actions before Finance Minister Biman Prasad during a National Budget consultation in Lautoka last week.
He said his previously daily approved compensation of four tickets per child had been halved to two tickets from week five of this school term.
Mr Rikabula said the ministry’s withholding of payments while requiring him to reapply for his operating licence had added to his financial woes.
“From 2023, it was approved that I will have to operate four tickets per day for one child. That’s on the 3rd of September, and last year there was no problem,” he said.
“This year, I’m facing problems because the ministry wants me to reapply while I’m providing the service.”
Mr Rikabula said his route takes in the Fiji Pine Rd, which is a private road, from Lololo.
“I’m facing difficulties. I struggle to bring the children early in the morning at six o’clock, from Lololo to Drasa.
“I used to do the service from their places in Drasa and Vakabuli and there are about 175 children per day.
“From week five, they asked me to reapply. While I’m doing the operation, they deduct the wages from week five till now.”
Mr Rikabula said the $1 fare per child barely covers his expenses, leaving no profit margin, and that the reduction in his payments had exacerbated the issue.
“I’m providing a service to the children. Before the teachers do their job, I’m the one who brings the children from their homes.
“In the afternoon, while the teacher goes home, I’m the one taking the children from school to their homes. And I am asking, why is the ministry doing this?”
Finance Minister Biman Prasad said he would check with the Education Ministry.
A RSL carrier loaded with school students makes its way up the Kavanagasau Rd in Sigatoka.
Picture: FILE/ BALJEET SINGH
