A bus operated by Vishnu Holdings Limited experienced an incident on Tuesday afternoon when it veered off the road at Buca Bay, Cakaudrove. Fortunately, all twelve passengers and the driver escaped without injuries. Shonal Dutt, the general manager of the company, attributed the accident to the poor condition of the road.
Mr. Dutt assured that the situation was not serious, explaining that the bus left the roadway due to the inadequate infrastructure. A replacement bus was dispatched and arrived within 30 minutes to ensure passengers could continue their journey.
He pointed out that they have consistently faced issues stemming from the poorly maintained road at Buca Bay. Although the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has made temporary repairs, the road continues to deteriorate rapidly. Mr. Dutt also mentioned that saltwater intrusion from the nearby sea has worsened the condition of the road, leading to ongoing challenges.
Despite these setbacks, Vishnu Holdings Limited remains committed to servicing the route. Mr. Dutt called on the FRA and the government to take proactive measures to properly maintain bus-operating routes, expressing frustration over road levies contributing without visible improvement in road conditions.
He urged for direct discussions with the FRA to explore solutions to these persistent issues. Earlier this year, the company engaged in public consultations with the Land Transport Authority (LTA), but many of their concerns remain unaddressed. LTA’s CEO, Irimaia Rokosawa, highlighted the necessity of collaborating with transport providers to tackle these challenges effectively.
This situation serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining infrastructure to ensure the safety and reliability of public transportation. As community stakeholders rally for necessary improvements, there is hope that a constructive dialogue between transport operators and government authorities will lead to tangible solutions in the near future.
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