Fiji is currently facing a significant increase in traffic congestion as new data indicates over 10,000 vehicles have been registered in the last two years, raising the total number to 154,000 in a nation with a population of less than a million. This alarming rise was recently highlighted by Land Transport Authority (LTA) CEO Irimaia Rokosawa during a road safety consultation, where concerns were emphasized about the worsening congestion primarily in the Suva-Nausori corridor and certain areas within the Western Division.
Rokosawa pointed out that while vehicle registrations have surged by seven percent, an effective policy for the removal of old and potentially unroadworthy vehicles is still lacking. He mentioned, “We’re working on an end-of-life policy. There needs to be changes in regulations. We are good at acquiring and maintaining vehicles, but disposal is where we fall short. Recycling programs need to be re-vamped, and a vehicle disposal policy must be introduced.”
Local commuters have voiced their frustrations and offered various solutions to alleviate the growing traffic issues. Suva resident Harish Chandra noted that traffic is often smoother during school holidays, suggesting that shifting school hours could make a difference. “If the Ministry of Education is involved and school hours are shifted by half an hour, from 8 am to 8:30 am, we will see a difference in traffic movement,” he stated.
Furthermore, another commuter, Kaylesh Chandra, proposed that staggered work hours could be adopted by local businesses to help manage the flow better. “There’s nothing wrong with going from 6 am to 3 pm, 7 am to 4 pm, or 8 am to 5 pm. That’s the only way we can improve traffic congestion in a cost-effective way,” he suggested.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the placement of speed humps, particularly by Indar Bisun, who questioned their uneven distribution along major routes like Princess Road, which contribute to traffic jams.
In response to these traffic challenges, LTA Highway Design Manager John Luveniyali reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to building a safe and resilient transport network and noted that public consultations are key to developing short-term solutions aligned with the National Development Plan 2025-2029.
This situation, while currently daunting for many residents, underscores a growing awareness and proactive approach to traffic management which may lead to a more efficient transportation system in Fiji. Enhanced urban planning, community engagement, and the implementation of proposed solutions could help ease congestion and improve commuter experiences in the future.
The government’s commitment to addressing this issue reflects a positive shift, indicating that meaningful changes in transportation infrastructure and policy may be on the horizon, aiming for a more manageable and connected urban environment for all Fijians.
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