HCC detains buses on first day of ordinance checks

Since checks to enforce the Honiara City Council’s new public bus ordinance began on Monday, 212 buses underwent inspection.

Six buses were detained overnight at the city council headquarters.

Most of the buses were detained on the grounds that they were operating without a business licence and following unapproved short routes.

Honiara City Mayor Andrew Mua said the bus checks will continue throughout the month.

The city council will also send “warden officers” to monitor buses every day of the week except Sunday.

“They will be deployed to the bus stops, and it is their job as a warden to note, penalise and direct buses not to stay for a long time at a bus stop,” Mr Mua said.

Honiara traffic police assisted city council law enforcement officers with the bus checks today and will continue to do so this month.

Mr Mua said one issue that still needs to be addressed is bus conductors demanding $5 from passengers, although bus fares remain at $3 for adults and $2 for students.

By Lowen Sei