Buses drop fares

 By JAMES APA GUMUNO

BUS drivers charge higher bus fares when the roads are bad, people in the Kagua-Erave district, in Southern Highlands, say.

Because of the much improved condition of the road from Erave to Mt Hagen, bus drivers now charge between K40 and K50. They used to charge K80 and K100 per trip before the roads were upgraded.

Topa Mata, the managing director of TNG Construction, which carried out the upgrading of the road, said in Mt Hagen that drivers and travellers were enjoying the improved condition of the road.

Mata, who is from Erave, said many public motor vehicles were now using the road carrying passengers and goods. In the past, only four-wheel-drive vehicles could travel between Kagua and Erave.

He said traffic to Erave High School, 10 primary schools, health centres, Maroro and Samberigi sub-health centres was busier.

The road upgrading was funded by Governor William Powi, Erave MP James Lagea and the works department.

“People now see real changes because of the good working relationship between the national leaders, national department and the joint district planning and budget priority committee,” he said.