Social welfare beneficiaries are not paying more for bus travel despite concerns over fare discrepancies, the Fiji Bus Operators Association says, while the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection maintains recipients remain fully supported through Government subsidies and top-ups.
The clarification follows complaints that some green and purple card holders were charged $1.61 for Stage 2 trips while ordinary commuters paid $1.45 for the same route.
In a statement to this newspaper, the ministry said beneficiaries received additional government assistance through transport top-ups and should not be assessed solely on the fare deducted for individual trips.
“The ministry wishes to clarify that Social Welfare beneficiaries are not disadvantaged under the Transport Assistance Scheme,” the ministry said.
“While Social Welfare eTransport card holders may see the full FCCC-approved fare deducted when they tap their green or purple cards, they also receive direct government assistance through a monthly transport top-up credited to their cards.”
It said recipients currently receive a $26 monthly transport allocation, alongside a temporary 50 per cent cash top-up from May 1 to July 31.
However, Fiji Bus Operators Association president Nisar Ali Shah said beneficiaries were not being overcharged.
“They are not charged more,” Mr Shah said.
“The regulated fare is $1.61, which the social welfare card is fully subsidised by the government and Government has topped up their card with the funds.”
“Government has paid 100 per cent into the social welfare cards.”
“Red card is still paying $1.45, the difference from the $1.45 and $1.61 is paid by the Government directly to the bus operators.”
He said social welfare recipients were receiving full support and should ensure their cards are properly issued and redeemed through Vodafone outlets to access the subsidy.
“All social welfare recipients should have their bus cards redeemed by the Vodafone outlet and get a bus card if they do not have any, to make use of the subsidy and not pay cash from their pocket.”
The ministry said complaints continue to be investigated with relevant stakeholders, including Vodafone Fiji.
