Bula Vinaka, shoppers. The teething problems of this e-ticketing system never seem to end, some would agree!
Just this week, colleague Cheerieann shared how she overheard a lady at the Vodafone counter in MHCC, who was almost in tears, complaining that her $20 credit from the old e-ticketing card hadn’t been transferred to her new one.
Twenty dollars — gone. No refund, no transfer, just a poor explanation from Vodafone causing more frustration for her.
And really, how ridiculous is that?
Like many others, she couldn’t understand why the Government isn’t stepping in to make things right.
After all, this is her money, not Vodafone’s.
I therefore can’t help but wonder — how many others have lost their cash after losing their cards, or simply by changing from the old card to the new? I thought this issue was resolved already since my last story on this! But no.
So where is that money and how much has it come to since the new upgraded system was introduced is the question everyone wants to know.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said this week the rollout problems were part of the modernisation of our bus payment system.
The old system was outdated and the new one — is meant to be smarter and better.
But tell that to people still lining in queues to top up or in areas with faulty machines, or those that lost their cards or changed from the old to the new and it just frustrates them, because they have either lost their money or their time.
People don’t want to know about “phased roll outs” or modernisation they just want a system that works — that doesn’t make catching the bus so cumbersome.
Opposition MP Premila Kumar questioned why disposable cards — which provided convenience to commuters — were scrapped altogether?
Even a Consumer Council survey reveals that almost half of all bus commuters (48 per cent) were unhappy with the new system.
The Prime Minister’s explanation is that the new machines “can’t read” disposable cards.
This as Vodafone has tried to calm the storm with a mobile app that allows top-ups via NFC, M-Paisa, and MyCash.
But even that’s limited — as not everyone owns an NFC-enabled phone, or can afford to buy one and outside urban centres, top-up places are scarce or dysfunctional at times.
Since March, over 486,000 cards have been issued and more than 22.5 million trips recorded.
But behind these numbers are people still lining up, still arguing with drivers, and still wondering where their balance has gone when they changed to the new card.
A technical audit has reportedly been completed, and system upgrades are on the way.
That’s good news — but for now, the “teething problems” feel more like a full-blown toothache.
Bus drivers are caught in the crossfire, facing abuse from angry passengers when machines fail or cards don’t swipe.
Rabuka in the meantime has urged cooperation between commuters, operators, and government agencies — which is fine — but this won’t fix a tech system that doesn’t function for the people.
Earlier this year, Rabuka had hinted the Government may consider bringing back cash payments alongside e-ticketing, following public pleas, yet, as it stands, the plan remains for a 100 per cent digital system.
Sure, these new cards come with offline top-ups, QR Pay, and better driver protection from theft as well as better income monitoring.
But in the meantime Vodafone needs to widen their service — to meet the public outcry as technology is only as good as its usability.
So when ordinary citizens can’t access their money, when queues waste time and when frustration outweighs convenience — it’s time to rethink what this new e-ticketing system is all about.
Clearly it brings more revenue for bus companies and the government while some people are crying for their hard earned money they have lost.
I’m sure you will agree that 100 per cent e-ticketing is still impractical as a one-size-fits-all digital approach is ‘work in progress’ for Fiji and other options need to be considered.
Until next week, shoppers that do manual top ups keep your receipts and your patience on full tank.
And please Vodafone and Government listen to those that can’t tranfer their funds from the old cards to the new or cannot afford NFC phones.
After all, their plight is real. Until the system works for everyone — this saga will still remain an inconvenience for some commuters, we know!
