The Juba City Legislative Council has endorsed a bill that will ensure students and people with special needs pay half the fare for all public service vehicles within Juba city.

This means students and those with physical disabilities will not be required to pay the normal full bus fare.

The order will, however, apply in areas under the jurisdiction of the Juba City Council.

Legislators of the Juba City Council and students met on Tuesday over challenges facing students in reporting to school on time.

The Chairman of the Legislative Council, Michael Lodu, says the bill will also enable public transport to access fuel at discounted price at government-run petrol stations.

“We believe that this is….[going] to be successful because we are going to meet the stakeholders, including the Nile pet managing Director and the Mayor of Juba City Council, in order to see that specific petrol stations are designated for the public buses,” Mr Lodu told Eye Radio.

There have been reports of low school turnout due to lack of transport.

One of the students who attended the deliberations says the bill will increase school enrolment and retention of pupils.

“Some of us have dropped out of school because of the high fares. With this the new bill, I think it will help us a lot,” the unnamed student said.

According to the bill, the students will be issued with an Identity Card that they will use between 6am  to 6pm daily.