Senior Citizens Welcome Bus Fare Subsidiary Increase

Elderly and Disabled Social Welfare recipients in the Northern Division have welcomed the increase in bus fare subsidiaries from $10 to $25 per month.

This relief was announced during the Revised 2021-2022 National Budget by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, on Thursday.

He said the increment of bus fare subsidy would benefit close to 40,000 Fijians at a cost of $60 million.

Laisa Cina, a recipient of the programme, said the announcement was a blessing for her because she could now cater for her bus trips.

The Wasavulu villager, outside Labasa, said the increased fare subsidiary would enable her to visit health clinics, do her shopping and other necessary travel needs in town.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, bus card value was reduced and this made it hard to cater for the costs of my basic necessary trips,” she said.

Another recipient from Tuatua, Labasa, Subhash Chandra Naidu, was all praises for the increase because this would greatly assist him with his travel needs to Labasa.

Mr Naidu said the extra $15 increase would support his financial ability to use the bus services for visitations to clinics and conduct shopping in town.

The 56-year-old said the announcement was a sign of the good intent of the Government to ensure elderly and senior citizens were provided with basic travel support.

Another recipient, Suruj Dei, was satisfied their voices were heard after they had lost hope of returning to the initial bus fare subsidiary of $30 pre-COVID-19.