Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama today reiterated that government with the assistance of the Land Transport Authority will come down hard on bus operators who overcharge students bus fares.
Bainimarama made the comment while visiting the LTA head office in Valelevu today.
Bainimarama also raised concerns on the increase in road accidents and precious lives lost almost every third week.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by some parents as their children who attend a school in Nausori were not given the fares under the Free School Bus Fare Program yesterday.
The parents confirmed to Fijivillage News their children had to walk from Davuilevu to Nadawa and other areas in Nasinu yesterday afternoon as the teachers issuing the fares did not release the funds to students because they did not produce their bus tickets.
The parents claim that the bus drivers concerned had not issued tickets to their children.
Transport Ministry spokesperson, Sainiana Waqainabete said they will now look into the matter and ascertain whether the claims by the parents are true.
She stresses that the teachers and those disbursing funds should still give the fares to those who are eligible to receive the funds and the names of the students and the bus they travel in should be noted.
Meanwhile, the Drivers Knowledge Test system which is the introduction of online theory tests for learners permit holders is a milestone achievement for LTA.
LTA CEO Etuate Koroi said the new system has been introduced in an effort to have educated, responsible, competent, safe and better drivers on our roads.
He said under the new system, the machine will be doing all the work and system will require the learner to be very thorough with the road codes and answer questions by touching the computer screen that will have multiple choice answers for every question.
The Driver Knowledge Test System will be effective from January 1st next year.
