Vodafone has assured line Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica that they are increasing resources, looking at using larger venues, and clearly displaying requirements to ease public frustration over the rollout of new e-Transport cards.
Mr Kamikamica met with Vodafone officials at 10am yesterday following a surge of public complaints.
Present at the meeting were Vodafone CEO Elenoa Biukoto and Chief Operating Officer Rajnesh Prasad.
“Vodafone has acknowledged the concerns and assured me that they are working on sorting out the issues,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“They are increasing resources at every agency to cater for the queues, will look at booking larger venues such as town halls so people can sit down, and will display requirements for the new card more visibly so that people do not get turned away.
“There will also be priority lines for the elderly and persons with disabilities.”
Vodafone also confirmed it had deployed extra machines and staff to all centres to handle the influx of customers.
However, scenes of elderly citizens collapsing in queues, rural users forced to travel long distances, and people being turned away for missing documents or unadvertised fees have raised serious concerns.
Critics say the system has lacked foresight and empathy.
The ministry and the Consumer Council of Fiji are monitoring the rollout.
Mr Kamikamica encouraged the public to call Vodafone’s toll-free number 151 or email eticketing@vodafone.com.fj with issues.
“This is a priority and we will ensure the issues are resolved urgently.”
