Operators in the Transport Augmentation Programme (TAP) are “furious” over the apparent stealth launch of the cashless system, leaving them wondering how they would be paid or even buy diesel.

Chairman of the United Transport Co-operative Ltd, Hudeen Hinds, said he was most surprised when passengers started showing him prepaid cards from last week as payment.

“We are furious with the management of the Transport Board. There’s been talks about a cashless system but we told them we can’t do it because we need cash to maintain our vehicles and put in diesel. Lo and behold, last week they started selling prepaid cards for bus fare without our knowledge. Now passengers are using the cards and we don’t know how we will get paid,” he said.