The Ministry of Communications in Fiji has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the country’s bus e-ticketing system, responding to ongoing public discussions about its functionality and future upgrades. Last week, during parliamentary discussions, the Minister for Communications highlighted the initiative to continually assess existing systems and governance methodologies to better serve the public.
In an official statement, the Ministry underlined its focus on identifying opportunities for enhancement to ensure that the evolving e-ticketing system meets the needs of citizens. The contribution of former Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica in establishing the multistakeholder E-Ticketing Committee was acknowledged as foundational to these improvements. The Minister has indicated plans to reconvene this committee soon to evaluate progress, tackle challenges, and strengthen the overall delivery of the system.
Since the beginning of the year, Vodafone has embarked on the rollout of a new e-ticketing system to replace the outdated version from 2017. This upgrade has seen the issuance of more than 486,000 new e-transport cards, with users already recording over 22.5 million taps. Enhancements include a newly designed e-Transport mobile application aimed at improving user experience, and upcoming features such as QR Pay and scheme cards that will enable payments via smartphones. Additionally, plans are in place to expand top-up options by working with partners like Digicel’s myCash.
The Minister expressed a strong resolve to learn from past experiences and continuously seek improvements, stating, “Our ultimate objective is to ensure the e-ticketing system serves the public in the most effective, reliable, and user-friendly way possible.” This commitment aligns with the Ministry’s goal of advancing the system for the benefit of all users.
Public transport is essential for many in Fiji, as a considerable portion of the population relies on buses for their daily commutes. Although challenges such as access issues and public dissatisfaction have arisen, the ongoing enhancements signal a promising shift toward a more efficient and user-friendly transport framework. Through collaboration with Vodafone and other stakeholders, there is an encouraging outlook that these initiatives will significantly enhance Fiji’s public transportation system, ultimately providing a better commuting experience for all citizens.