Twelve passengers along with the driver of a Vishnu Holdings Limited bus remained unharmed after the vehicle veered off the road at Buca Bay in Cakaudrove on Tuesday afternoon. Shonal Dutt, the company’s general manager, reported that the incident was not serious and was primarily due to the poor condition of the road.
“The bus went off the road due to poor conditions, but thankfully, no one was injured,” Mr. Dutt stated. A backup bus arrived within half an hour to continue the journey.
Mr. Dutt expressed ongoing concerns regarding the deteriorating state of the roads in the Buca Bay area. He noted that while the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) makes temporary repairs, the road conditions often degrade rapidly afterward. Additionally, saltwater intrusion from the nearby sea further undermines the road’s integrity.
Despite these challenges, Vishnu Holdings remains committed to servicing the route and is urging the FRA to take significant action. “We need the FRA to prioritize these issues,” he emphasized. Mr. Dutt highlighted that although road levies are paid, it is difficult to see tangible results in road maintenance.
He called for more direct discussions with the FRA to resolve the persistent road quality problems. Earlier this year, the company engaged in public consultations with the Land Transport Authority (LTA), but many of their concerns have yet to be adequately addressed. LTA CEO Irimaia Rokosawa has underscored the necessity of working closely with transport providers to effectively tackle such challenges.
This incident highlights the importance of road maintenance for safety and reliability in public transport. It’s hopeful that continued dialogue between the transport operators and authorities will lead to lasting solutions that improve road safety and travel conditions for everyone.
Overall, it reinforces a communal effort towards better infrastructure, showing the resilience of transport services amid ongoing challenges.
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