Minister for Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau has called on Land Transport Authority, to use common sense when enforcing the law.

It comes after a video went viral on social media showing a woman allegedly being fined $150 for failing to produce an e-transport card to an LTA officer in Ra.

Speaking to Fiji One News, the Minister reiterated that the focus must shift to addressing issues like road safety and drinking and driving.

“I’ve advised LTA, I immediately called the CEO of LTA to talk to the staff in terms of that because there was an issue also with the machine which they could use to top up,” he said.

He said measures are being taken to improve the e-ticketing system and changes will come soon.

Ro Filipe Tuisawau has directed LTA to refocus its efforts on careless driving, overspeeding and others.

He said that it is important for LTA officers to understand the circumstances, especially for people living in rural areas and the elderly in our communities.

“I’ve emphasised to LTA that they need to use their common sense given that the issue now is those fatalities on the road, overspeeding, drunkardness and careless driving.”

Ro Filipe has also warned against drunkards and people sniffing glue in buses.

It comes after a video went viral on an intoxicated man, harassing a woman on the bus.

The Minister is urging the public to be responsible and assist authorities in ensuring the safety of passengers on public transportation.

Meanwhile, the Land Transport Authority acknowledges the concerns raised by the public regarding the viral video circulating on social media, involving the inspection of bus cards and subsequent issuance of the fixed penalty, stipulated in the ‘Electronic Fare Ticketing (Omnibus) Regulations 2017’.

LTA Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa said the e-ticketing system was introduced as a vital step towards modernizing Fiji’s transportation sector, bringing transparency, accountability, and convenience to public transport operations.

He added while LTA recognizes the benefits this system provides, it is aware of the challenges some members of the public are facing, particularly those in rural areas where access to top-up facilities is limited.

In response to these concerns, the LTA is actively engaging with the vendor and other key stakeholders to address these challenges and identify improvements to the e-ticketing systems.

Rokosawa said LTA’s immediate focus is on ensuring wider availability of recharge and top-up provisions, across rural and urban areas.

The Authority is also conducting a comprehensive review of the feedback received from the public, to enhance the system’s functionality.

The Authority added that it takes the grievances of the public seriously, and remains committed to improving the e-ticketing experience for all passengers – while balancing the need for regulatory compliance, to ensure that public transport services are accessible, transparent, and user-friendly for all Fijians.

“The Authority takes the grievances of the public seriously and remains committed to improving the e-ticketing experience for all passengers while balancing the need for regulatory compliance to ensure that public transport services are accessible, transparent, and user-friendly for all Fijians.”

To this end, the Authority will also re-look at its enforcement strategies, particularly in areas facing challenges, with top-up provisions for their bus cards.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has also commented on the matter.

He said the LTA officer was acting in accordance with the law, and cannot be blamed for his actions.

However, he said the reasonable application of the law and how else the situation could have been resolved should also be considered.