Public transport stakeholders have taken some time before being satisfied with the implementation of free transport. While elderly people and parents of students were rejoicing – now that they have been assured that the bus passes will be available next week – school-van owners were protesting in front of Government House last week. They have finally obtained an appointment with the Public Infrastructure and Transport minister, Rashid Beebeejaun, and they are now confident that he will find a solution to their problems.

The first travel passes were received by the National Transport Authority (NTA) last Friday and their representatives have already started distributing them to tertiary education students. About 5,100 post-secondary students and 1,000 of higher education will receive their passes at latest on Monday. This includes students from the Industrial and Vocational Training Board (IVTB), the university of Mauritius and other private tertiary institutions.

As for secondary school students, the NTA will deliver 40,000 passes to the ministry of Education to be distributed to the various schools. All students from primary to tertiary (even if they are over 21 years old) will just have to present their passes to benefit from free bus fares.

This measure has been considered so good by parents that some no longer want to pay vans to take their children to school. This is at least what van-owners have been complaining about during the past week. They will submit a document listing all their complaints to the minister tomorrow. Their main contention is that the number of their passengers has considerably decreased since the implementation of free bus fares for students last Thursday. They are thus asking for a compensation of Rs 1,100 per van per day.