Talks on new transport plan

 By DELLYANNE ILAI

BUS and taxi operators in Port Moresby will meet this week to discuss plans by the Transport Department to have fewer people owning public transport 

vehicles.

Transport Minister William Duma said last week the plan was to have bus operators holding shares in a single company and operating only bigger buses.

He said the department wanted to adopt a similar transport system to Australia where only major taxi and bus companies provided public transport.

Urban PMV Association secretary John Rex Makao said yesterday the 800-plus registered PMV bus owners and 1000 taxi drivers must discuss the plan.

“Consultation is the best way to go before any decisions are made,” Makao said.

He personally thinks that the road infrastructure in Port Moresby would not allow for a smoother flow of traffic if bigger buses were introduced.

Taxi drivers interviewed randomly over the weekend opposed the plan, saying they did not want to lose their jobs and businesses.

They said most of them were not well-educated and depended on driving taxis and PMV buses to earn a living.

If these were taken away or reduced, it would affect their lives and that of their families and dependents.