Demand for short-travel trucking

DRIVER Asane Las knows well the brisk business enjoyed by small truck operators, especially in the transportation of small cargo around Port Moresby.
Las who has been in the business for five years tells of how the increase in home construction has led to a parallel increase in the demand for small trucks.
He came to Port Moresby from Kaekin Pausa in the Wapenamanda, Enga.
His son gave him a four-tonne truck to look after.
“I was tasked to escort the driver to pick up building materials for the renovation of my son’s house,” he said.
“That was when I saw the need for short-travel trucking.
“We usually wait outside hardware stores and do pick-up and drop-off for customers who have small cars which cannot carry such cargo.
“Most times customers collect building materials and most of them live just outside the city.
“The lack of good housing in the city is an issue but not a problem for some.
“People are acquiring land in places like Bushwara, Pari, Vadavada, Laloki, Gereka and building houses suited to their personal preferences.”
He charges K150 to carry small cargoes while gravels and building materials cost K250 per load.