This week, I return to the issue of e-ticketing because many commuters are still being affected by shortcomings in the system that have not been adequately addressed by the provider.
Tony Ratuvili shared on Facebook that he had topped up his bus card with $85 last Friday. Unfortunately, he misplaced the card the same afternoon and despite searching, could not find it.
When he visited Vodafone at MHCC to request a replacement, he asked for his lost card to be blocked, and the balance transferred to the new card. He was stunned when told this could not be done. His $85 — hard-earned money — was gone in a flash.
“I was informed that although the card can be blocked, the balance cannot be transferred,” he said.
Tony called this deeply unfair, stressing that many Fijians live from paycheck to paycheck,and were already burdened by the rising cost of living. In his frustration, he appealed to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to urgently look into the matter.
“We need accountability and fairness in essential services,” he said. “If Vodafone Fiji cannot provide a secure and reliable system, perhaps it is time to allow competition from Digicel or TFL.”
Vodafone CEO Elenoa Biukoto, on Straight Talk, said the company does not have the facility to refund money on lost cards. She added that abuse of the old system was one of the reasons behind this restriction. But many people questioned why everyone should be penalised for problems Vodafone claims were happening in the past And what did she mean by claims of abuse?
This is why people like Edward Blakelock have argued that 100 per cent e-ticketing is impractical until such issues are resolved. Prime Minister Rabuka has acknowledged public concerns, saying a one-size-fits-all digital system is still “a work in progress.” Government has even signalled the possibility of reintroducing cash payments and engaging Digicel Fiji to expand options.
But the immediate question—what happens to commuters’ money when cards are lost—remains unanswered and the Government has not stepped in to resolve this ongoing issue which is making them unpopular.
All this is happening while ordinary people including students are losing their cards every day.
So the question on everyone’s mind is who is benefiting from all this unclaimed money?
Where is it going and how much has it accumulated to?
The public reaction has been strong on Facebook: Asinate Senirewa suggested Vodafone should refund unused balances directly via M-PAiSA if transfers are not possible.
Olivia Joy Agape said she now only tops up daily to avoid losing large sums.
Rodney Peter Blake asked bluntly, “So that $80 is now free money Vodafone earns? Multiply that with all the missing cards—they make a lot of money from this.”
Mesake Tukai called it outright theft, accusing government of turning a blind eye.
Tui Aryetta described the situation as “daylight robbery at its best.”
Bui Mita Kalara demanded Vodafone take responsibility: “Your system should be user friendly to meet daily challenges such as lost cards. Do better. Enough corruption and manipulation of the poor.”
The sad truth is this: Right now, those red, yellow, and purple bus cards must be treated like cash. Lose it, and your money is gone.
It’s like losing a $100 bill—you cannot walk into a bank demanding it be replaced. But here’s the difference: when you lose cash, it’s gone.
When you lose a bus card, the money is still in Vodafone’s system.
And that’s what makes this all the more troubling and puzzling for all. Come on Vodafone and Government please listen to the plight of our people suffering right under the systems you have created!
It’s annoying when no one listens to the plight of the people. Maybe its time Consumer Council of Fiji steps in to assist the voiceless here.
The nation is waiting! Be responsible in how you spend your money shoppers or you may waste it in lost bus cards and not know where your balance has gone!