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E-TICKETING and SMILING TO THE BANK: Aiyaz Khaiyum has reportedly given vat free status to the bus operators for three years; all vat collected by the bus companies to be kept by them instead of paying VAT to FIRCA

2/10/2017

5 Comments

 
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So far, the two consultants who reviewed the Fiji Bus Industry and prepared their Report for Fiji Land Transport Authority, are yet to respond to our questions including the chaos their Report has plunged Fiji into - especially the bus passengers and the vilification of the bus drivers


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Executive Summary
Introduction

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) contracted Orion Consulting Associates BV to undertake a review of the Fiji Bus Industry. Paul Starkey (Team Leader) and Dr Sion Haworth worked in Fiji for four weeks in December 2008 and January 2009. They collaborated with LTA, the Transport Planning Unit (TPU),the Fiji Bus Operators Association (FBOA), the Consumer Council of Fiji (CCF) and other organisations. They consulted with many stakeholders, saw bus operations in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, undertook a small passenger survey, facilitated a workshop, prepared two draft reports and considered information and comments from several sources.

Cultural issues

The consultants, the bus operators and all institutional stakeholders involved in this study agree that racial issues should not influence the review of the Fiji Bus Industry. However, it would not be correct to totally ignore certain cultural issues and perceptions in Fiji that have historically been related to ethnicity.

Most of the bus owners and drivers are Indo-Fijians and this may influence some people’s perceptions (eg, there may be an unsympathetic attitude to the bus industry in some media) and some decision making (eg, overnight location of buses and drivers). Many (but not all) of the competing modes of transport, including minibuses, carriers, ‘matchboxes’ and taxis are operated by Indigenous Fijians. This may influence perceptions, policy and enforcement, as there may be a desire to support the economic enterprises of Indigenous Fijians.

One of the biggest issues facing the Fiji Bus Industry is the question of fair competition between different transport services linked to appropriate regulation and reliable enforcement. Unfortunately, on many routes the owners and operators of the competing services (buses, carriers, and minibuses) are of different cultural (racial) backgrounds. This might influence transport operations and the various processes of regulation and enforcement. However, the Consultants will address transport issues in this report from an objective professional perspective without racial bias.

"Fraud by bus drivers and checkers is the single biggest financial loss being suffered by the industry today. We estimate that the loss to the industry, if all drivers are involved (see box) is worth around 9% of total revenue. More conservatively we calculate the losses to be of the order of FJD 2.7million to FJD 4.5 million per year" - The Final Report

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WIPING THE SMILE OFF HIS FACE: Bus drivers scapegoated for loss of revenue to FIRCA as they, and the bus checkers, are accused of FRAUD

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Khaiyum says once the E-Ticketing system has worked out well in the buses, it will also be moved on to the mini-buses, taxis and ferries that travel between the maritime zones. He is basically taking the recommendations of the the two consultants:

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To be continued:

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"Many (but not all) of the competing modes of transport, including minibuses, carriers, ‘matchboxes’ and taxis are operated by Indigenous Fijians. This may influence perceptions, policy and enforcement, as there may be a desire to support the economic enterprises of Indigenous Fijians. One of the biggest issues facing the Fiji Bus Industry is the question of fair competition between different transport services linked to appropriate regulation and reliable enforcement. Unfortunately, on many routes the owners and operators of the competing services (buses, carriers, and minibuses) are of different cultural (racial) backgrounds. This might influence transport operations and the various processes of regulation and enforcement. However, the Consultants will address transport issues in this report from an objective professional perspective without racial bias." The Final Report on Fiji Bus Operators

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Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at a joint press conference with Vodafone Fiji and the Fiji Buses Operators Association (FBOA) in Suva
Cases of alleged sabotage and some companies left it too late to install e-ticketing machines - AG

A FIRST: No one has ever seen this
cheerful family on a bus in Fiji. But their new E-Ticket Travel Cards will help FIRCA catch the "thieving bus drivers"

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5 Comments
Chiku
3/10/2017 05:36:10 am

The e-ticketing system of an affluent First World country superimposed in a third world banana republic. It's the kind of thing that reflects the delusions of grand that characterise Fiji's twin dictators.

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Samjoe
3/10/2017 05:41:09 am

Thieving bus drivers have not set the country back decades with their small time thieving. Thieving military men and their cronies have by stealing the government of the country through armed robbery and thuggery .

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Chiku
3/10/2017 07:57:06 am

Tell me mada. Has any " thieving bus driver " become a rich man overnight with his thieving like some coupist we know have?

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soho
4/10/2017 03:41:24 am

Eticket has multiple purposes:
1. Tracking peoples movement
2. Tracking bus revenue for tax department
3. Reducing revenue leakage eg via drivers and checkers

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Bahuki
4/10/2017 07:13:14 am

I'm not surprised if this is tax evasion in the making although the Lavo Transferring Authority does have its hands full as usual with illegal PSV drivers who are doing the travelling public a favor because of little to no regulation at all when it comes to the high demand for transport from point A to B.

Although passengers are at the mercy of these illegals when it comes to the transport fare, I hear that the drivers are more polite than some of the actual PSV drivers themselves who seriously lack social ethics towards passengers.

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