Bus woe in Lae

By JUNIOR UKAHA
BUSINESSES in Lae have been advised to organise transport for their employees after authorities began taking off the road defective public service vehicles, mainly buses, which people rely on.
The Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged its members to provide transport for their employees in the city until the police special operations to remove buses which are not roadworthy off the road is over.
In an email to members yesterday, the chamber said: “You will be aware of the operation taking place at the moment to check on road worthiness of public motor vehicles.”
When this operation started yesterday (Tuesday), many of the defective vehicles were put off the road, or the operators were too afraid to operate because of the vehicle’s condition.
“This is likely to be the case as well today (yesterday), which unfortunately will affect many of the staff of companies, who rely on public transport to get to and from work.”
The chamber said while the move to crack down on defective vehicles “will lead to better PMVs, it may be inconvenient for your staff”.
“Therefore, we advise that companies should understand the situation and make alternative arrangements for their staff transportation until the exercise is complete.”
Members of the public in Lae who do not have their own vehicles rely on the buses to move around the city.
There are no taxis in Lae.
Lae police began removing the defective buses from the road on Tuesday to improve public safety.
Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said Lae had become a dumping ground for defective buses which put the lives of passengers and other motorists at risk.
The operation is being carried out by the police and officers from the Morobe Provincial Traffic Registry.
The defective vehicles are at the traffic registry compound in Lae.
Members of the public including students, public servants and company employees in the city have to walk home because of the shortage of public transport.