$800k Suva Bus Stand Upgrade Works Underway

Ongoing improvements at Suva’s Bus Station have sparked discussions after concerns were raised about potholes and the deteriorating condition of the road.

These issues were highlighted by this masthead, drawing attention to the challenges commuters and bus operators were facing.

However, city officials and the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) have clarified that efforts to address the issues began mid-December 2024, with progress already made.

Suva City Council special administrator chairperson Tevita Boseiwaqa confirmed that initially $1million was estimated for the repairs, however, the cost of work is now expected to be close to $800,000.

Mr Boseiwaqa said the bus station entrance was a critical area frequently raised by both bus operators and members of the public.

“Our efforts have been focused on upgrading, we are not going to sit around and wait,” Mr Boseiwaqa said.

“The issues with potholes and the poor condition of the bus station entrance have been well-known, and we’ve responded by working closely with the FRA,” he said.

BEFORE...The Suva Bus Stand before the upgrade work started. Photo: Ronald Kumar

“We’ve clarified that this is a long-standing issue, and we’re committed to resolving it.”

He said much of the work conducted so far has been on the clearing of the underground.

The primary cause of the potholes, officials explain, is a series of blocked drains and damaged culverts that have plagued the area for years.

Over the past month, teams from the FRA have focused on clearing the drainage systems, with repairs finally completed.

“We expect this work to take about a month to complete, weather permitting,” Mr Bosiewaqa added, noting that the resurfacing is expected to significantly improve conditions.

“Our focus now is on clearing the roads and eliminating the potholes once and for all.”

Despite the ongoing work, a recent social media post showing outdated photos of the bus station’s deteriorated state has caused confusion.

The post, which has been circulating the past few weeks, led some members of the public to believe that no action had been taken.

However, the SCC and FRA emphasise that the work has been ongoing since December and that any negative claims are based on outdated information.

“We are frustrated by these misleading images. The repairs started mid-December, and we’ve been transparent about our efforts through our media channels,” the spokesperson said.

“We are confident that with the current work underway, the bus station will soon be in a much better condition.”

Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj