PMV operators want traffic division to issue routes

 A DISAGREEMENT among PMV operators over territory left hundreds of people stranded in Lower Mendi, Southern Highlands, on Monday.

Badly affected were Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) youths who were camping at Sumia village for a conference. 

More than 30 PMV operators, mostly from Lower Mendi, are calling on the Mendi Traffic Division and PMV board to issue route numbers to prevent traffic jams during big events.

A SDA Highlands Youth Congress, which started on Monday, attracted hundreds of PMV operators to move to the area which frustrated PMV owners from Lower Mendi. They led a protest at Sumia junction and forced other PMVs to turn back.

Spokesman John Perene told The National that every LLG had PMVs and they should be confined to their area. He said the Lower Mendi LLG had about 30 and they wanted their vehicles to operate within the LLG. 

“Every time when there is a big compensation, moka or other big events happening, hundreds of PMVs are jam-packed at the venue, creating traffic jam and chaos. Even route 100 PMVs rerouted to travel on the Highlands Highway to the area,” Perene said. 

Another driver Ucee Jeffery said issuing of route numbers was the only solution.

He said the mentality of chasing other operators’ territory would cause a major conflict one day.

Jeffery said it was up to the concerned authorities to look into the matter.