PMVs increase fares due to poor road conditions

PUBLIC transport providers in Hela are charging passengers extra because of the poor condition of the highway plus the demand for money by locals from drivers.
Only a few trucks and 10-seater vehicles are risking travelling to the province.
People from the Nipa-Kutubu district are the most affected. Youths from the Komo-Margarima district have been accused of demanding money from drivers.
Independent Consumer and Competition Commission chief executive officer Paulus Ain recently warned transport providers not to charge extra fares.
Tonny Homoko, from Tari-Pori district, said the road at Ambua Gap in Hela and the one at Tengo village in Komo-Margarima were really bad.
Homoko said drivers of 10-seater vehicles were charging passengers K100 each to travel from Mt Hagen in Western Highlands to Hela.
They charge K70 from Southern Highlands to Hela. He said drivers were forced to use the new Hiri-Lai Road while only a few continued to use the Nipa Road.
“The Hiri-Lai Road is not fully completed and is dangerous during wet season and we (travellers) are facing hardship travelling,” he said.