10 Jan 2018

New bus routes for Solomons capital

6:53 am on 10 January 2018
Honiara rush hour

Photo: RNZ/ Koroi Hawkins

New bus routes are being introduced in Solomon Islands by the Honiara City Council this week in a bid to better regulate the industry.

The move is in response to long-running complaints from commuters about short bus routes used by some operators, resulting in people having to catch three or four buses to get in or out of the city.

As well as complaints about convenience and affordability concerns have also been raised about the condition of some of the buses in operation.

Especially after some recent fatal traffic collisions involving public buses were found to have been caused by mechanical failure.

The Solomon Star newspaper reports the new bus routes, which came into effect on Monday, use the central market in the city as the reference point to different destinations in and around Honiara.

Bus operators are required to apply for a new license to service the new routes with strict vehicle inspections to be carried out before licenses are granted.

Those who fail to adhere to the new regulations can be fined more than $US2500.

Yesterday some bus drivers staged a protest against the changes outside the city council office but the Honiara City Mayor Andrew Mua told the gathering the routes had been drawn up in consultation with local bus owners and were there to stay.

Some of the main bus routes include:

  • Central Market to King George Six Bus stop
  • Central Market to Gilbert Camp
  • Central Market to Border Line
  • Central Market to Kola'a Ridge
  • Central Market to Naha
  • Central Market to Tuvaruhu
  • Central Market to Mbnokonavera
  • Central Market to Nggossi
  • Central Market to White River