Following concerns raised about the new e-ticketing machines that does not give a physical copy of the receipt are now being used in buses, the Land Transport Authority says the new e-ticketing system is in compliance with all legal requirements for issuing payment receipts and passengers will not be fined for not having receipts.
Avinesh Lal from Newtown, Nasinu says many like him want a physical copy of their receipt as drivers are not giving passengers enough time to check their balance on the machine’s monitor.
Lal says people were not consulted before the system was implemented and it needs to be put on hold until people give their approval.
Lal says if Vodafone Fiji and the Government want to be paper-free, then they can go back to the cash system.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News, LTA CEO Irimaia Rokosawa says the approval process for the e-ticketing machines was conducted through a formal tender process, incorporating contributions and oversight from key stakeholders.
He says this approach ensured transparency and inclusivity, with the process extending beyond the purview of the LTA alone.
Rokosawa says the new e-ticketing system is in compliance with all legal requirements for issuing payment receipts which are available in electronic form and stored as electronic tickets or “e-tickets” on passengers’ bus cards.
The CEO says the last four electronic tickets are also available on a passenger’s bus card including date and time, stage travelled, fare amount paid and remaining balance on the card.
He says as per the Electronic Fare Ticketing Regulation 5, LTA only requires proof that payment of fares has been taken.
Rokosawa says in the previous system, the hard copy of the receipt was proof of payment and in the new system, hand-held devices will provide the last four transactions that was undertaken by each e-ticketing card.
He says the Authority will work with Vodafone Fiji, bus operators and the general public to ensure a smooth transition with the new system.
The CEO stresses that passengers will not be fined for not having paper receipts, as the last four electronic tickets, including date and time, stage travelled fare amount paid, and remaining balance on the card, are available on a passenger’s bus card.
He says additionally, LTA has been briefed and equipped with electronic devices to scan passenger cards and verify the electronic tickets for fare payments when needed.
While also responding to our questions, Vodafone Fiji says that 200 buses have been migrated onto the new system, serving more than 100,000 passengers and recording over 250,000 transactions in the last 5 days.
They say in the coming days, more buses will be transitioned to the new system.
Vodafone Fiji says the electronic receipts and tickets from the new e-ticketing system align with the Fiji Government’s commitment to climate preservation and environmental sustainability by reducing waste and enhancing digital services for the future.
They also say on the ground, awareness campaigns are being conducted on TV, social media, and buses to address common issues like incorrect card tapping.
Vodafone Fiji adds that regarding system functionality, a robust monitoring system, which includes regular performance checks, software updates ensures that the machines function optimally.
