buses

The Chief Executive of the Land Transport Authority, Leasi John Galuvao, told the Samoa Observer that he believes it is time the buses were phased out.

The government introduced measures in 2000 to phase out the buses with locally manufactured cabins built on truck chassis.

But due to the high cost of imported buses and existing used vehicles not meeting a 12 year 'age' criteria set by government, the local buses were accepted but under of more stringent safety standards.

In a formal ceremony, Van2017 CEO Clint Flood said that transport is a critical component in the organization of the Games.

“I thank the Government of Vanuatu for supporting the Games; it’s been six years that the people of Vanuatu have been waiting for this Games and now time is very short, as we have to go operational next week.   

And he has called on the authorities responsible to take appropriate action.This would also ensure the safety of the travelling public in buses.

He made the comment in light of four near fatal accidents involving buses in Samoa in the last week.

“This is what the LTA (Land Transport Authority) should be doing, don’t pass a person just because they can drive, make sure they understand how to drive and how the gears work in a bus,” he said.

Speaking at the launch of a new tourism campaign last week, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said the initiative was prompted by complaints of the high levels of rubbish discarded by bus passengers and drivers.

The PM says that in order to keep their license, all public bus drivers must have a rubbish bag on board their buses at all times.