A NEW eligibility criteria for those seeking to apply for a bus driver’s licence has been announced by the Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The new criteria has seen a reduction in age from 21 to 18 years and those applying to be bus drivers do not necessarily need a minimum of one year driving experience as a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driver.

The requirement to have the experience was deemed to be unduly prescriptive and irrelevant in screening for successful applicants.

LTA general manager for legal, policy and business development Navilesh Chand said the applicants would still undergo the same rigorous testing system in place to acquire a bus driver’s licence.

Mr Chand said the amended regulation was designed to simplify overly complex eligibility criteria.

“This amended regulation will not affect public safety, as all potential bus drivers will be required to display the same level of knowledge and skills to pass the demanding Class 5 licence test,” he said.

“What we’ve done is allow Government to cast a wider net to attract more qualified drivers, allowing more Fijians who have the proper skill set to pursue a career as a bus driver.”

Fiji Bus Operators Association general secretary Rohit Latchan said the reduction in age would not compromise the safety of the travelling public.

“We believe age should not be the main criteria for judging a person’s ability to make safe judgments. Rather it should be based on objective tests, including the level of maturity and decision-making skills of a person applying for a PSV licence,” he said.

“Additionally, PSV licences will not be issued unless a driver has a clean record with both the Land Transport Authority and police.”

Minister for Transport Parveen Kumar welcomed the amended regulations as a positive step towards meeting an increasing demand for qualified bus drivers.