THE Fiji Consumers Association is calling for a reduction in the price of the bus e-ticketing card.
FCA secretary Paras Sukul said they were also seeking amendments to the minimum top-up amount to ensure bus users do not incur high costs.
"While the association fully supports the introduction of e-ticketing, it believes the system should first be on a trial-basis before full effective implementation," Mr Sukul said.
He said even the paper ticketing system which had been around for decades was not successful because of the laxity of enforcement.
"The association believes the $10 price for a card should be reduced to a level that will give consumers more incentives," he said. "Many ordinary and poor consumers travel on buses and they should pay a smaller amount."
"A more realistic figure would be $2. Another issue the association is concerned about is that card users will only be able to ascertain their balance when using their cards in buses."
LTA spokesman Alfred Wiliame said the actual cost of an imported card was $17 but the agent issuing the card — Vodafone — had reduced it to $10.
He said the cards needed to have a value when they were sold in the market which was why they were selling at $10.
"The card is actually a smart card and can be used for other purposes which is why it is sold at that particular cost," Mr Wiliame said.