Parents have been asked to call their bus companies if they suspect the drivers are charging their children more than the actual fare.
The call comes after some parents from Samabula complaint that the morning school bus that picks children from Samabula North and drops them at Samabula Primary School charges them 60 cents whereas students travelling as far as Nasese from Samabula pay the same amount.
The bus company providing service in the area has confirmed that the fare from Samabula North to Samabula Primary School is only 35 cents and is urging parents to call them and provide the company with the bus number charging students extra fare after which the driver will be dealt with.
Students have also been called to ask for tickets after paying their fare.
The government has already called on bus drivers to be honest.
Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama had told Fijivillage News that he was concerned with how the bus drivers operate when he confirmed that options are being looked at on whether the Free Bus Fare Program will continue next year.
The Fiji Bus Operators Association has already made a call to all operators and bus drivers not to overcharge the students.
President, Zain Dean expressed his concern that some drivers started overcharging the students from this week and he has called on the drivers to be honest.
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Just a few minutes ago, Transport Ministry Spokesperson, Sainiana Waqainabete has stressed that licenses of bus drivers and even operators can be revoked if they are found overcharging students.
As suggestions are being made on the best way to handle the Free Bus Fare Program for students travelling in school buses, many struggling parents say are happy with the assistance being provided.
The Free Bus fare programme which came into effect two days ago is a big relief for a Bua farmer, who struggles to support his two children.
Mukesh Chand has no choice but to send his two teenage children to a school far from home as there are no secondary schools in Nasarawaqa.
Chand adds that the money saved will now be used for his children's school books next year.
Feature
Stop overcharging
