WESTBUS Fiji Ltd managing director Vijendra Kumar is calling on Government to consider allowing Fijians to choose whether they want to use e-ticketing cards or pay cash when boarding buses.
Mr Kumar said the e-ticketing system had caused a lot of bus operators in the Western Division to lose valuable customers.
“With the introduction of e-ticketing, we were expecting an increase of 30 per cent in revenue,” he said.
“The total opposite happened. “I am a Nadi and Denarau operator and there are so many LH (licensed to hire), rental cars, private cars and taxis with people opting to pay cash and travel via illegal operators and not carry an e-ticketing card.
“LTA has tried their best and have done a good job but when buses arrive, people do not want to get on the bus but wait for some illegal operator who will take cash and take them to Denarau.”
Mr Kumar said, as a result, his business suffered.
“My income has plunged by 70 per cent.
“I am unable to pay for diesel, wages and operating costs.
“The standards of my buses are deteriorating day by day and we are getting customer complaints and soon it will be impossible to comply with LTA’s Quality Assurance Management System requirements.”
He said the solution was to give customers a choice.
“Either use e-ticketing cards or pay cash. “We can still use the e-ticketing platform. If we are issued company e-ticketing cards, the driver can receive money, tap the card and give a receipt.
“We need to move away from checking on the driver and fining him.”
