Bus Driver Assaulted For Declining To Accept Cash From A Passenger
A 43-year-old bus driver of Shore Buses Limited was allegedly assaulted for simply refusing to accept cash from a passenger in Lami Town.
Sanjay Pratap, who has been driving for Shore Buses Limited for the past 15 years, was taken by surprise when he was allegedly grabbed by his neck and pressed forward before, he was allegedly punched repeatedly on his head.
The alleged incident left him with eight stitches on his head on Sunday night.
Mr Pratap was on his way from Suva, Qauia to Naboro for his last trip where he stopped at Lami after 10pm to drop off passengers before the alleged incident occurred.
“The man looked like he was in his 30s, I don’t know if he was drunk or what, but I just asked him nicely to tap his card because I wouldn’t accept cash,” Mr Pratap alleged.
“I don’t want to get a fine of $150 by the Land Transport Authority, that $150 does not come from nothing; we have to work hard for that $150.”
Mr Pratap alleged that “the man boarded and sat in the bus, but when I was about to move the bus, he just came from behind grabbed me by the neck and repeatedly punched me. Some passengers came to help, but he jumped off the bus and fled the scene.”
Mr Pratap said that he was just doing what they were tasked to do according to the Electronic Fare Ticketing (Omnibus) Regulations 2017, to avoid getting fined.
Mr Pratap has pleaded to the public to top-up and ensure that their card has funds before they travel to avoid any hiccups, as the laws are not set by them but by the relevant authorities.
Police Spokesperson Ana Naisoro said that Police were investigating this matter.
Attempts to get a comment from the Fiji Bus Operators Association were unsuccessful by the time this edition went to press.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) Manager of Customer Services Kavita Shah said that LTA did not condone violence and they were also investigating this matter.
Shore Bus Limited Director, Aman Singh, alleged that this kind of incident had happened a lot of times, but this was the second time one of his drivers had been physically harmed.
He said that for a passenger to board the bus with no card and to physically abuse a driver on the steering wheel was a serious matter.
“I fear for the safety of the drivers, and the passengers if the people come to do this.”
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