HCC Hopeful to acquire 10 Buses to address short bus route

The Honiara City Council (HCC) is pursuing the acquisition of 10 buses donated by India. 

In an exclusive interview with SIBC News, Deputy Clerk of the Honiara City Council (HCC), Jefferson Patovaki said HCC expressed its interest to the Games Organizing Committee (GOC) and the National Hosting Authority (NHA) for the 10 buses following the conclusion of the recent Pacific Games in Honiara.

The main intention of having those buses is to address the ongoing short bus route issue in Honiara.  

During his September visit to the country, the Indian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Shri Inbasekar Sunaramuthi, told Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare that India is committed to donate 20 Tata brand buses to aid in the transportation of athletes and officials during the Pacific Games. The buses arrived in the country on schedule before the games.

Jefferson Patovaki emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by the public due to the short bus route, expressing concern for commuters who suffered the impact of the short bus route issue. 

“I appeal to bus owners, please have some sympathy for our people as well as our children,” Mr. Patovaki expressed.

In the meantime, the HCC Deputy Clerk said they will be having discussions with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) to address the issue.

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By Alex Dadamu