Government has intervened to open up the back and front end e-ticketing solution provider market, to Vodafone, Digicel and other new entrants, within the next three months.
Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said regulations which will set out e-ticketing standards for bus operators should be gazetted at the earliest by this Friday.
A three month time-frame from the date the regulation is gazetted is being given for bus operators to choose which e-ticketing solution provider they will use, and those without machines are to have them installed.
Sayed-Khaiyum also highlights that inter-operability is amongst the various standards that bus operators need to comply with under the new system.
Sayed-Khaiyum added within the next three months passengers are also allowed to use cash when paying for their fares.
He said the opening up of the market will increase competition and allow bus operators a better deal.