Proposals for staggered work hours have emerged as a potential solution to address the ongoing traffic congestion issues along the Suva-Nausori corridor. During a recent public consultation on traffic challenges, residents expressed their frustrations and concerns, with suggestions aimed at easing the gridlock that has become a significant daily ordeal.
One key contributor, Kaylash Chandra, emphasized that existing proposals may not be sufficient without adopting solutions that meet international standards. He advocated for staggered opening times for both workplaces and schools, suggesting that such measures could ease traffic during peak hours. For instance, he pointed out that if school schedules were modified to start later in the day, after workers in the Walu Bay area have begun their shifts, it could help alleviate congestion. Chandra mentioned that options such as starting work earlier at 6 am or adjusting school hours to begin at 9 am could contribute positively to traffic flow.
Chandra’s suggestions echoed remarks made by other locals during previous consultations, where residents pointed to changes like adjusting school times by a mere 30 minutes as a way to ease the bottlenecks often seen during peak traffic hours. Additionally, they have raised concerns about heavy vehicle usage during rush hours and the associated impact on congestion.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has also indicated that vehicle registration numbers in Fiji are on the rise, with predictions of more than 10,000 new vehicles expected in a single month. This uptick raises alarms over future traffic levels and highlights the importance of innovative solutions to management issues within the transport infrastructure.
While various stakeholders, including local businesses and government officials, are actively seeking resolutions to these challenges, including public transport improvements and broader infrastructural changes, residents remain hopeful that community engagement and behavioral shifts towards travel can lead to smoother commutes in the long run.
Overall, the pursuit of staggered work hours could provide a less costly, effective strategy to reduce traffic congestion, aligning Fiji more closely with practices observed in other countries. The ongoing discussions reflect a collective desire for efficient, sustainable transportation solutions, with optimism for future improvements resonating among the community.
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