Updated: 6:00am – Serious concerns have been raised after a bus driver allowed a child who looks about 10 years old to sit in the driver’s seat for about 30 minutes and also operate the e-ticketing machine.
Our newsroom has also been supplied the photo of the child in the driver’s seat in the Nasese Bus Limited’s bus on Tuesdat night.
A concerned passenger has told us that it was after 7pm and the driver had parked the bus at USP.
This is the bus that services areas along Suva Grammar School, the ANZ Stadium, USP and then on to the Suva Bus Stand.
The passenger says the driver of the bus got off at USP and was standing outside with his friend and was allegedly smoking a cigarette.
The child in the picture who does not look older than 10 years old got into the driver’s seat and was holding the steering wheel and as passengers started boarding, the child was controlling the e‑ticketing system.
The passenger says it was a very frustrating experience as they all sat there for almost 35 minutes waiting for the driver to get back into the bus.
She says there was a moment where the e‑ticketing system froze so passengers had to wait while the child was pressing a few things before they could swipe their cards again.
We have sent questions and the photos with all the details including the bus registration to Police and the Land Transport Authority.
It is a major concern that a child was sitting behind the steering wheel of the bus and operating the e-ticketing system while the driver was just relaxing outside the bus for about 30 minutes, not caring about the passengers who were in the bus and dangers associated with a child in the driver’s seat.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro says that public service vehicle drivers should always prioritize the safety of their passengers and this is the complete opposite of what they are expected to do.
She has referred other questions to LTA.
LTA is yet to respond.
When contacted by News team, Nasese Buses Limited confirms that they are aware of the incident.
The bus company says that they have spoken to the driver and given him a written warning.
It did not comment further.
-Fiji Village
