Page 25 - IB APR 2017

FisheriesDevelopment
Is Melanesia the new Asia with its chaotic traffic ills

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

and cost recovery, unlicensed driving, and
better road infrastructure to cope with the
traffic volumes. As a short term initiative, the
Forum agreed to source some expertise in
traffic planning and management to assess
existing problems and propose short and
longer term solutions. Monitoring outcomes
of this decision need to be followed up at
city level..
NAULUMATUA: There are only 2 ways to
go from one end of the Greater Suva Area
(GSA) to the other. I’m not too sure how bus
scheduling goes in the GSA but it seems
everyone (children and adults) all start their
business day at 8:00am. Hence traffic jams.
Surely there are EXPRESS Suva Nausori
buses. I wonder if there are buses that only
do loops e.g. around Makoi, around Nasinu.
It appears all buses head for either Suva or
Road works continue in Honiara, Solomons Islands. Photo: Priestly Habru Nausori. Some buses routes can easily be
redesigned to make a loop without having
to reach the Suva Bus Stand.
Definitely need bus lanes. This has been
talked about in transport forums and now
we need to see some real work in carried out.

IB: What should other towns/cities in
the islands learn from the experiences
of Suva, Honiara and Port Moresby?
Peak hour traffic into Suva Photo: Samisoni Pareti Police monitor traffic in Port Moesby Photo: Sam Vulum MECARTNEY: Fix the potholes (catch 22
tion planning and management are distinct opment. 2). Provisions for private vehicle with roadworks slowing traffic flow)
in their absence. As with urbanisation (plan- parking and taxi parking takes priority over - Introduce paid parking and enforce
ning and management), it would appear larger bus bays in high density shopping ar- compliance with traffic laws and regulations
any challenge that requires a multi-modal eas. If we (developers, approving authorities, - City transport planning – for longer term
and collaborative approach is neglected by decision makers) can change this mindset impact, it will not have an immediate effect
those who are in positions to make positive to make connectivity of different modes - If doable, traffic reporting via radio so
changes (and to lobby for better budgetary of transport smoother and safer, we’ll be drivers have option to change route and
allocations). Indeed, projecting demand by on the right path. We need to market walk- maintain free-flowing traffic
urban populations does not feature promi- ing as being sexier than driving...of course - Bus only lanes – keep them out of main
nently in any level of planning. It’s a lot easier within limits. traffic flow and safer for pedestrians
to list the problems than to derive practical NAULUMATUA: Yes, urbanisation is oc-
(and affordable) solutions to ease the traf- curring at a rapid rate and people equate
fic on the streets. The woe list stemming IB: How can traffic congestion, car ownership with prestige/success! Please
from the high levels of congestion include growth challenges like these be better do the math and ask the real question of
longer journey times, costs, and increasing handled? the balance between cars (particularly used
pollution that characterise the capitals land cars) coming in and car going out? We are a
transport. MECARTNEY: In October 2010, the Pacific dumping ground for used Asian cars. True
Capital Cities Forum (a collection of mayors) they may be electric lah lah, but servicing
NAULUMATUA: I’m going to go with poor nominated Transport Planning and Manage- their batteries and their disposal needs to be
urban planning is the main issue. Urban ment as one of its seven key urban manage- calculated. It is an environmental disaster.
planning in Fiji has been geared towards the ment issues. The challenges identified by the Electrical cars only work best when they are
vehicular use and not the pedestrian use/ Forum included increased traffic congestion driven less than 55km/ hour.
walkability. 1). Pedestrian pathways and and numbers of second hand vehicles, inad- r spareti@islandsbusiness.com
safety is the last thing considered in devel- equate road planning, parking availability

Islands Business, April 2017 25