Calls for better bus service

The Consumer Council of Fiji is once again reminding the public service transport providers to provide better quality service to consumers at all times.

 The reminder comes after a prominent bus company (S.Nairs) providing bus service in Davuilevu Housing in Nausori failed to provide an alternate bus after one of its buses developed mechanical problem in the weekend. As a result, frustrated passengers, majority women and children had to walk half a mile at 8.30 in the night.

 Upon the Council’s enquiry, the bus owner confirmed that the driver had failed to call for another bus to transport more than 20 passengers home. The public service vehicle driver had also failed to consider the safety of his passengers at night. The excuse is lame but certainly not new.

Interestingly, another bus belonging to the same company was stuck on the same road and on the same day earlier on. The travelling public does not deserve this treatment after paying full bus fares for their rides.

With the recent increase in taxi fares, more consumers are now using bus as their mode of transport and the bus companies should ensure that their buses are road worthy and thoroughly checked before the journey starts particularly in this wet weather and at night times. This responsibility lies with every public service vehicle operator and driver.

 This includes clean, comfortable and pleasant environment inside the public service vehicles.

 The Council is also yet to see the much highlighted bus time-tables displayed at the bus stand area. The travelling public is confused and uncertain of the travelling times of buses. As a result, many have suffered and are still suffering from the irregularities in the bus industry.

 Bus time-table is a public document which should be made available to members of the public at any given time. The Land Transport Authority needs to be more vigilant and ensure that this document is made available to the travelling consumers as soon as possible.