LTA: Drivers need to behave with civility and be proper towards all passengers.

Land Transport Authority chairman Vijay Maharaj yesterday reminded all public service drivers to be courteous and treat passengers in a professional manner as stipulated in the LTA regulations code of conduct.

Mr Maharaj’s reminder was triggered by a video that went viral on the Fiji Sun website showing a bus driver getting frustrated with a school student who produced her school bus ticket when she boarded the bus after 4pm.

The video, which was posted on Friday, recorded 6700 views yesterday and Mr Maharaj said the bus owners and drivers were responsible for the general operation of buses and interfacing with the passengers.

Mr Maharaj said there were LTA regulations with a code of conduct for both the drivers and passengers to follow.

“The school time zone is between 8am and 4pm with children boarding buses from different terrain such as from 6am till sometimes 6pm,” Mr Maharaj said.

“However other extra-curricular activities such as Coke games, zones, field trips, extra classes, school errands, tuition etc may exceed to time.

“Also as far as students are in the school uniform with the identified monogram, the driver should show courtesy and common sense to allow students to board the bus.

“The code of conduct also includes driving in a safe manner and taking responsible care for the safety of all passengers including students.”

He said drivers needed to behave with civility and be courteous at all times.

He said the drivers needed to be “behaving with civility and properly towards all passengers and communicating in a professional and courteous manner at all times.”

Mr Maharaj said it was premature at this stage to make any response but the LTA Enforcement team needed to investigate as per alleged incidents. If the driver is found guilty then the LTA could “issue fines within 14 days  to the driver with show cause hearing for driver licence”.

He said the LTA needed to organise a meeting with the Ministry of Education to clarify further as per their policy regarding the bus fare voucher policy.

He also recommended drivers to use their behaviour management strategies appropriately especially students where all drivers were to treat students fairly and with respect.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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