But long-term want Telecom not Foneology as e-ticketing solution
By RANOBA BAOA
Tebara Transport Limited has agreed to install the e-ticketing consoles provided by Foneology but only on a three-month interim measure.
This was confirmed to Sun Business after seeing an email between the bus company and the Land Transport Authority with copies to Government.
The email was sent on Friday evening, ahead of this Wednesday’s deadline to switch to e-ticketing.
Tebara Transport chief executive officer Arvin Maharaj said it was unfair that only one service provider for the console was available for bus companies when there were alternatives.
“It has been difficult as LTA, Vodafone and Foneology have not attempted to facilitate and assist our partner Telecom in getting our consoles and solution,” Mr Maharaj said in the email.
Compliance conditions
“But instead government has set a fast approaching deadline and threatened us with heavy-handed action amongst others.”
Given the limited time with which all bus companies must comply, Mr Maharaj added: “Anyhow, moving forward, since it seems government is adamant on meeting the deadline, we shall try our best to cooperate.
“Hence, we wish to install the Foneology system as an interim measure for 3 months only.
“We shall then bring our consoles and solution (as a Solution Provider under the law) within this time-frame and have them installed in our buses replacing the Foneology system.
“We had partnered with Telecom due to lower costs and financial viability for our company as opposed to the Vodafone offering.”
The company feels that Foneology has been given prominence and in this case, Mr Maharaj alleged unfair trading practices.
His email said: “Instead of just listening to Foneology/Vodafone, FBOA (Fiji Bus Operators Association) and a handful of bus operators who are leading the current e-ticketing solution, a similar and equal opportunity and redress must be accorded to our group bus companies (no matter how small) who wish to bring an alternative solution.
“This has not happened and in our case it is wrong, unjust and even illegal and Foneology has been given prominence over Telecom, although both are equal accredited Solution Providers.”
LTA responds
In response to this Land Transport chief executive officer Naisa Tuinaceva welcomes Tebara’s compliance. However, the authority will liaise further with Mr Maharaj on the period he has given.
“Although he has got his own opinion and choices we are happy to see that he is coming onboard and is trying to put something on in the interim for the sake of complying,” Mr Tuinaceva said.
“Mr Maharaj’s request-that is already taken onboard- we understand that he wishes to have a short-term contract so that he can choose his own service provider later on and that is something that we are sorting out with him right now.
“Perhaps the good news for us is that he wishes to engage with the current solution provider.”
On the fair trading issue, Mr Tuinaceva said Foneology was the choice of the Fiji Bus Operators Association.
“Time was given, and this e-ticketing system project had started three years ago and from September last year it was given to the market-the tender process was given out- for anybody who wanted to become a part of the solution.
“Out of this only five arrived and that is how open and how transparent we are but we cannot keep on opening the tender forever.”
Sun Business visited Shore Buses Limited operator Jasper Singh yesterday.
Shore Buses is another bus company which has yet to install e-ticketing.
Mr Singh did not wish to comment as it was his Sabbath and was completing his 50-day Pentecostal Fast. However, he has confirmed that he would comment on the matter tomorrow.
Tebara Transport Limited has confirmed compliance with the e-ticketing console installation deadline on Wednesday but only on a three-month interim measure. Tebara buses at the Nausori bus stand. Photo: RONALD KUMAR