LTA Has Tow Trucks And Unmarked Vehicles To Enforce Clearway

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) allocated unmarked vehicles and two tow trucks for the enforcement of Urban Clearway areas in Suva.

Urban Clearway areas, an initiative of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), are being introduced in Suva, beginning with the McGregor-Bau-Rewa Street route on Monday.

The imposition of the Urban Clearway restriction will prevent all vehicles (except buses at designated bus bays) from stopping, picking up, dropping off and parking during peak traffic periods in both directions.

This would apply during 6.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm daily.

LTA chief executive officer Samuel Simpson said similar Urban Clearway areas would be introduced in other parts of the country.

“The initiative is that of FRA and we are working closely with them in partnership,” Mr Simpson said.

“Suva City Council will be carrying out enforcement in support of the Urban Clearways.”

Meanwhile, taxi drivers in Suva have recommended a 30-second rule to allow taxis to pick up and drop off passengers within the Urban Clearway areas.

Former General Secretary of the Fiji Taxi Association Rishi Ram said the 30 second rule would benefit passengers who preferred to be dropped off in front of their homes.

“Urban clearway areas are also in other countries but Australia, for example, has provisions,” Mr Ram said.

“They have the 30-second rule to allow taxis to pick up and drop off passengers and that is what I would recommend here.”

Mr Simpson, however, has said at the moment they would not consider any leeway for taxis.

Therefore, picking up or dropping off of passengers will have to be undertaken at side roads leading off the Urban Clearways.

FRA will work with schools along these routes to designate specific drop-off/pick-up zones.

From Monday, July 8, the McGregor-Bau-Rewa Street route will be designated Urban Clearway, while other routes will be progressively introduced later in the year.

FRA chief executive officer Jonathan Moore said these restrictions would allow the full width of the road corridor to be available during the heaviest periods of traffic congestion.

“Clearways will improve public safety and reduce congestion because there will be fewer vehicle conflicts and pedestrians will be more visible, which will help reduce the number of road accidents within Suva,” Mr Moore said.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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