Bus Operators Association: Proposed Bus Stations Project Inconvenient For Public

Fiji Bus Operators Association President Nisar Ali Shah said the two proposed bus stations project was not appropriate because it would be costly for passengers.

Mr Ali said the first bus station would be set on vacant land at the end of Vitogo Parade near Anupam Theatre and the second near the industrial area adjacent to the Fiji Sugar Corporation Lautoka Mill.

The project was discussed in the stakeholders meetings earlier last week at the Lautoka City Council Chambers where the council’s chief executive officer Mohammed Aness Khan gave an update on the Traffic Impact Study to ease traffic flow and congestion as well as plans to review the Town Planning Scheme to attract investors.

“People will have to catch two buses if they’re travelling from Nadi and Ba; they will have to get off at the substation and catch another bus to the main bus stand in the city,” he said.

“We have to make it user-friendly, but most importantly think of those who bring bags of farm produce. It will cost them another $3 or $4 if they’re travelling from afar because they will have to catch a second bus to town and it’s a burden for the community as well.”

He said a possible solution would be to extend the main city bus station, however proper consultation would be needed before implementation.

“They can make the bus stand wider with proper planning like in Suva where the express buses are far away so not to cause traffic,” Mr Ali said.

“They need to consult us and not just go ahead and do it because the well-being of the passengers is our main concern and they have to come up with a very good plan.”

Lautoka Market vendor Iowana Eva said the project would cause financial strain on commuters.

Iowana Eva at her stall at the Lautoka market on February 14, 2021. Photo: Salote Qalubau

“We catch taxis to town because we just live in Tomuka, but at this time when life is hard it’s going to be a burden and for people that pay $2 for a one way trip, they will have to pay more and at this time people are budgeting for their families, especially for those working outside Lautoka so it’s not good,” she said.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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