Free Rides In Cargo Area, Vandalism Pose Worry
The new trend of getting a free bus ride is to get into the cargo carriage. This was relayed by Shore Buses human resource manager Doreen Brown to the Fiji Sun yesterday. She said now operators have come across people hiding in the cargo space for free rides.
“They are risking their lives,” Ms Brown said.
There was also another worrying trend: more vandalism.
“We are required by authorities to produce good buses for school trips because safety is our priority," she said
“Unfortunately during these times, the good buses gets damaged by ripping of sponges and seats. “This is additional cost and we are losing a lot of income.
“It has become an ongoing issue and it has cost the companies thousands of dollars.”
Ms Brown came out strongly on their concerns regarding bus vandalism.
Within the past 13 days, Ms Doreen said three of their new buses were vandalised.
Back seats were ripped, rear glasses broken, markings were on the seats and walls.
Ms Brown said they suspected that such incidents happened mostly during school trips.
The Land Transport Authority is also advising bus commuters to respect buses they travelled in and not damage them.
“Anyone practising this must completely refrain from doing so because we must understand the cost that comes with such damage are incurred by someone else, mainly the company,” the LTA said. “We should work together and take care and respect others' properties. “The public service vehicles are in a major reform and this includes maintaining the aesthetic value of the vehicles. We travel in these vehicles daily and must take care of it.
“Please report any such case to Police for investigation,” the LTA added.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro requested the traveling public not to damage the property because the bus company was providing an essential service.
Edited by Percy Kean