Twelve passengers and the driver of a bus operated by Vishnu Holdings Limited had a fortunate escape when the vehicle veered off the road at Buca Bay in Cakaudrove on Tuesday afternoon. According to Shonal Dutt, the general manager of the company, no one was injured in the incident, which was primarily attributed to the poor condition of the roadway.
Dutt reassured that the situation was not serious; after the bus left the road, a replacement vehicle arrived within 30 minutes to allow passengers to continue their journey. He noted the ongoing challenges posed by the deteriorating road conditions at Buca Bay, which he stated have been a persistent issue.
Despite temporary repairs conducted by the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), the road often returns to a poor state. Dutt highlighted that saltwater intrusion from the nearby sea further complicates matters. Nevertheless, Vishnu Holdings Limited remains committed to servicing this route, advocating for more substantial action from the FRA and the government to properly maintain bus routes.
He expressed concerns regarding the allocation of road levies that the company pays, questioning the lack of visible improvements on many roads that require urgent repairs. Dutt urged for more direct consultations with the FRA to resolve these persistent issues.
Interestingly, LTA chief executive officer Irimaia Rokosawa recently reinforced the significance of collaborating with transport providers, including bus and taxi services, to effectively tackle the challenges they face. This collaborative spirit could lead to constructive solutions that improve the safety and reliability of public transport in Fiji.
It’s encouraging to see that despite the current challenges, both companies and regulatory bodies are committed to ensuring the safety of passengers and the overall improvement of transportation infrastructure. This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of maintaining adequate road conditions for public safety.
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