The Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection has welcomed positive changes in the 2024/2025 National Budget.

In particular, the ministry has bagged several wins in the budget, including the conversion of bus fare top-ups into cash, a decision which aims to expand the reach of social welfare benefits across diverse communities, especially those encompassing senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Minister Lynda Tabuya expressed her gratitude for what she described as a ‘good budget,’ and emphasised the ministry’s successful advocacy for this policy shift.

“As ministers, we always hope for more,” Ms Tabuya said.

“I am very happy that we were able to achieve one of our big asks.”

She said the conversion of bus fare top-ups to cash was expected to address several challenges faced by vulnerable groups, particularly senior citizens over the age of 70 and individuals with disabilities.

Ms Tabuya said these groups often encountered difficulties accessing buses, during non-operational hours, and in maritime and rural regions which lack comprehensive bus services.

“For senior citizens and those with disabilities, accessing buses can be particularly challenging.

“Especially (those) in areas like maritime and rural who don’t have bus services have never used these benefits.

“So, to convert it to cash actually means there is more reach and to all those who are entitled to it.”

She said the decision to convert top-ups into cash was not merely a logistical adjustment but a significant step towards 9achieving more equitable distribution of social welfare benefits, especially in transportation.

“This conversion to cash means that more people now have access to travel options that suit their needs.

t”It represents a significant step towards ensuring fairer access to transportation-related welfare benefits across Fiji.”