Vehicles, mostly taxis that park along Rodwell Road in Suva, are partly to blame for the traffic situation as commuters enter the capital city every morning.

This is the scene most times as taxis and buses stop along Rodwell Rd to drop off their passengers. Other times, taxis are just parked there, waiting for passengers. The vehicles in these lanes tend to cut into other lanes.

Land Transport Authority (LTA) chief executive officer Samuel Simpson said enforcement measures had been undertaken to control traffic in such areas.

“We also need assistance from members of the public to report such issues to LTA so that issues are amicably addressed,” he said.

The congestion along the main entry into Suva has a ripple traffic effect that stretches all the way up the Edinburgh Drive.

Amit Kumar, a daily commuter into Suva, said the increasing number of vehicles also made things worse.

“Authorities need to create a drop-off bay, which does not interfere with the traffic flow. This will help, I think,” he said.

Taxi driver Rusiate Bukalidi said members of the public demanded that they got dropped off at that location.

“When we refuse to stop where they want to, passengers get angry,” he said.

Fiji Taxi Union general secretary Ashwin Lal said they backed the idea of a drop-off lane. He also said drivers who just parked along Rodwell Rd without a valid reason should be penalised.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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