Owners urge registry to release impounded buses

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A GROUP of bus owners and their crew members have urged the Morobe Traffic Registry to release their buses impounded last week for defects because they are losing income.
More than 100 buses have been parked inside the registry compound since last Tuesday following a joint operation by police and the registry.
Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said the operation was to ensure that only roadworthy public transport should be on the road.
The exercise has resulted in a shortage of buses in the city thus affecting commuters.
Spokesperson and bus owner Makrol Tambal from Western Highlands, said: “We provide a valuable service to the people of Lae city. It is not good for the authorities to keep our buses for a long period. “We provide a valuable service to the people of Lae and we also pay taxes to the Government.”
Tambal said bus crew members were out of work and needed to feed their families.
Tambal said bus operators in Lae made between K500 and K600 a day, which they were losing right now.
Benjamin Palisa, a bus driver from Kagua, Southern Highlands, said he was told to pay K400 for the release of his bus because his PMV permit had expired.
“I have already paid the K400 fee. I am supposed to be on the road driving my bus. I have spent a week coming here trying to get my bus,” Palisa said.
Bus driver Frank Tonapekaim from Ialibu in Southern Highlands said the authorities should have conducted an awareness before impounding the buses.