Standalone system unreliable

By SERAH LAGDOM
THE current stand-alone system used in provinces for vehicle registration, driver licensing and authorized inspection stations are not reliable.
“The stand-alone system used in provinces are not following the proper process and procedure.”
According to the Road Traffic Authority Chief Executive Officer Nelson Terema, the stand-alone system has failed and the result could be seen on the streets of PNG.
“Licensing of passengers and goods on semi-tailor and route 100 buses operating in the Highlands Highway are not complying with safety requirements.
“A driver could be issued a license in Port Moresby and be issued another license in Mt Hagen, thus it is easy to manipulate the system and most get away with it.”
Terema said a classic example was the Tulait Tulait bus service which operates from Lae to Mt Hagen and Madang to Mt Hagen.
“Provinces are not following proper process and procedure thus lives of people are being lost on the Highlands Highway,” he said.
“We need a centralised system to monitor and control the land transport sector especially the public transport for the benefit of the people,” he said.
“Currently there is no central register of driver licensing or vehicle registration so there are many duplications and omissions.
“A review of land transport regulatory issues in 2010 recommended establishment of a Road Traffic Authority (RTA) with updated legislation and adequate resourcing to revitalise land transport regulation.
“The Road Traffic Act provides a high level regulatory framework for road traffic with details in new Road Traffic Regulations and new Road Traffic Rules.
“The new Regulations and Rules will be brought into effect, and existing provisions repealed or revoked, once arrangements are in place to administer the new regulatory regime,” Terema said.
“The need for reform of the land transport regulatory agencies in PNG has existed for some years.
“Driver licensing, vehicle registration, transport services licensing, vehicle standards, roadworthiness certification, enforcement, road safety promotion, and land transport statistical information, have in law been the responsibility of the Transport Department.”