Overcharging of bus fares by drivers is an issue that continues to be raised in the bus fare consultations being held around the country.
Concerned passengers have also raised the issue with Fijivillage, saying that some drivers are charging Stage 2 fares for a Stage 1 run.
Many such cases have come up.
We have raised the issue with the Land Transport Authority as the stages are not being clearly stated in buses.
Many passengers do not have details on where the stages start and finish so that they can hold the driver accountable for pressing the wrong stage number in the e-ticketing machine.
We have asked LTA if the stages with the areas can be provided on all buses.
The bad attitude of bus drivers is also being raised in the consultations.
Concerns have also been raised where passengers pay different amount of bus fares for the same stage.
A few bus operators around the country are also under the spotlight after issues of poor bus conditions was raised by members of the public.
The independent Bus Fare Review committee is dissecting issues noted from past consultations with bus fares and poor bus conditions topping the list.
Bad condition of buses in the Western Division tops the complaints list. This is a major concern for bus commuters in Nadi, Lautoka, Rakiraki, Ba and Tavua.
Committee Chairman Joel Abraham says the committee is concerned about the complaints received on bus drivers charging students and senior citizens with concession cards, full fares.
Abraham says the committee will carefully scrutinize issues to improve bus services around the country.
Issues were also raised on parents using students’ cards and children using their parent’s concession cards.
Abraham is calling on members of the public to report such issues.
The consultation will continue at Sukuna Park in Suva from this hour to 7pm.
