THE whole e-ticketing project is independent of mobile phones.
In a joint statement yesterday, permanent secretary for Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Commander Francis Kean and Commerce Commission chairman, Dr Mahendra Reddy said, "you don't even have to own a mobile phone".
The joint statement was issued in response to the front page article in The Sunday Times yesterday.
In the article, the commission labelled the involvement of only one mobile company in the e-ticketing process as a breach of the Commerce Commission Decree 2010.
"The commission is concerned with regards to Digicel customers not being able to participate in the e-ticketing system and we have written to the Minister of Transport," Dr Reddy had said.
However, the Transport Ministry yesterday refuted comments made in the article.
The joint statement said the ministry in consultation with the Land Transport Authority recognised and appreciated the concerns and issues raised by the commission in its letter on February 14, 2013, to the Transport Minister and the subsequent meeting held with Cdr Kean on February 26 on e-ticketing.
It said Dr Reddy left reassured on completion of the meeting, fully understanding that due process was undertaken in the awarding of the e-ticketing project to the five solution providers as spearheaded by LTA.
"Dr Reddy was assured that Digicel could still participate in the e-ticketing project by linking up with one of the five solution providers," the statement read.
"Digicel mobile phone customers are not disadvantaged in using this e-ticketing consoles installed on board buses."
The joint statement said the ministry has directed LTA to provide this full information to stakeholders.