New city traffic plan
The National, Friday 13th of February 2015
By STAYCEY YALO
THE Government plans to streamline the public transport system in Port Moresby, allowing fewer taxis and buses to operate, Transport Minister William Duma says.
He told Parliament that the plan would have to be discussed with taxi and bus operators.
He said the public motor vehicle (PMV) bus operators would be offered shares in a single company using big buses to service routes.
In the case of taxis, three major companies will operate under the new plan, Duma said.
“We are thinking of having a system similar to the one you find in Australia,” he said.
“We will have that system in place definitely before the 2018 APEC Summit.”
He was responding to concerns raised in parliament by National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop on the capital city’s land transport plans.
Parkop suggested to Duma that the transport ministry transfer some of its powers to the National Capital District Commission, so that it can improve the public transport system in Port Moresby.
Duma said PMV owners would have to be closely consulted. They will be offered shares in the new plan after Cabinet approves it.
Duma said the plan would be used in other provinces later.
City manager Leslie Alu had earlier said the capital city had embarked on roads development which will cost up to K800 million.
Meanwhile, Parkop said there should be a better process of the issuing of driving licenses because so many drivers on public roads today did not know basic traffic rules.
Parkop said new drivers must receive proper training before they were given their licenses.
He said it was so obvious on city roads today that some drivers ignored traffic rules and had no respect and consideration for other road users.
He also pointed out the existence of too many road authorities blocking roads to check vehicles, disrupting the flow of traffic in the city.
“We have the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited, National Road Safety Council and Central Provincial Traffic Office,” he said.
“Is there any plan to form a single authority to look after traffic management and management of vehicles?”
Duma said the licensing of private vehicles was done by MVIL while PMVs got their licenses from the transport department.