Northern bus operator, Parmod Buses Limited, is keen on providing services to a new proposed route – from Nayarabale to Vanuavou.

However, the company is waiting on the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) response, so they can proceed with their services.

At the moment, their route is up to Nayarabale.

But with proposed extended route application, they would be able to serve people living right in Vanuavou.

Company general manager, Edwin Chand, said the route is used for logging and chances are that buses can also operate on that route.

“This is more like a shortcut route to Labasa and the people in that area are always left behind, so this will be a good service to them,” he said.

The route is not part of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) operation, but Mr Chand said they are happy to provide bus services to the area as soon as the LTA approves their application.

The proposed extension route is approximately 12 kilometres and it would save around 45 minutes of their time, than to travel the long way.

New roads would also increase the road network and would provide shorter routes, he said.

They also have Global Positioning System (GPS) installed in each bus.

“If buses speeds up to 80km/hr, there will be an automatic alert sent via email to the office and this is how we keep track of our buses,” said Mr Chand.

The GPS is also to make sure that the drivers are careful on the road, he said.

The other two new proposed routes are from Daria-Kubulau to Labasa and Kiobo – Namoa/Voivoi to Labasa.

“We will also provide services upon demands,” he said.

Parmod Chand Buses Limited has 50 buses operating in the Northern Division.

They have plans of adding another two buses to their fleet to serve the proposed new routes.

LTA acting chief executive officer, Aptinko Vaurasi is abroad. Questions were sent to him but remained unanswered when this publication went to press.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

Feedback:  selita.bolanavanua@fijisun.com.fj