Fix bus stand fumes, Ministry urges Suva City Council

The Ministry of Health has raised concerns about bus exhaust fumes drifting into the Suva Municipal Market and suggested new laws could be used to stop buses from idling at the nearby Suva Bus Stand.

The ministry urged the Suva City Council (SCC) to support measures that would prevent bus drivers from leaving their engines running while parked at the bus stand.

National WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) coordinator Toga Vosataki raised the issue during a parliamentary hearing yesterday, where the council presented its submission on the Public Health Amendment Bill (Bill No. 4 of 2026) to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs.

"One of the major concerns within the main CBD vicinity is the massive bus stand area that you currently have in Suva, and it being very close to one of the landmarks, the eatery that we all enjoy at the Suva City Council market," Vosataki said.

He said buses sometimes idle for five to 10 minutes while waiting to load passengers, releasing exhaust fumes into the busy food area.

"Maybe if the Suva City Council feels that that particular issue can be addressed in the Public Health Act, maybe that can be part of your submission to the committee," he said, suggesting a provision be included in the bill to regulate idling buses.

The council expressed strong support for the bill's expanded enforcement powers, saying the amendments would better equip it to address environmental and public health challenges across the city.

Acting chief executive officer Tevita Boseiwaqa said the council was willing to enforce the law provided it was given the necessary authority and resources.