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.
*******
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.
Stop overcharging
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when