Bus drivers continue to harass tourists despite increased police presence

January 28, 2026 10:41 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Doddy Morris.

Despite a strong presence of Municipal and Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) officers, some bus drivers in Port Vila continue to harass tourists during cruise ship arrivals, raising concerns that recent complaints and warnings have yet to bring meaningful change.

The Vanuatu Daily Post was on the streets of Port Vila on Tuesday during the arrival of a cruise ship to observe whether new measures had improved the situation at the Sea Front.

While authorities increased monitoring around the fenced boundary where tourists disembark, incidents of harassment were still visible once visitors stepped outside the controlled area.

Reporters observed bus drivers aggressively approaching tourists, following them into shops with banners advertising their tour sites, and stopping them along the streets while they were walking peacefully.

Some tourists appeared visibly uncomfortable as drivers persisted despite clear signs of disinterest.

These ongoing issues follow multiple complaints on social media from tourists about harassment and poor attitudes from some public transport drivers. In response, the Public Land Transport Authority (PLTA) issued a statement calling on drivers to respect both authorities and visitors during cruise ship arrivals.

The PLTA said government institutions, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, and other stakeholders, met on 20 January to discuss ways to address the concerns.

The Department of Tourism and the PLTA later urged drivers to demonstrate proper behaviour and uphold the values of Vanuatu, emphasising that visitors should be able to experience the true spirit of the country.

However, the PLTA confirmed that just one week after the meeting, another incident occurred involving a bus driver during a cruise ship arrival.

The driver reportedly entered a restricted Ports and Harbour facility after opening a fenced gate and calling out to tourists. Police instructed him to leave, but he refused to comply and later resisted officers when they attempted to restrain him.

A police report has been completed and submitted to the PLTA office, with the matter expected to be reviewed at the authority’s board meeting next week.

The PLTA has the power to issue warnings, suspend the driver’s permit, or ban him from operating public transport services altogether. Another police report related to the incident is still pending.

The Vanuatu Daily Post contacted the VPF for comment regarding the incident and observations made on Tuesday, but police had not responded at the time of publication. Meanwhile, several members of the public in town on Tuesday suggested that bus drivers should wear uniforms to improve professionalism, accountability, and the overall image of public transport services in Port Vila.

Authorities continue to call on all drivers to cooperate with law enforcement and respect visitors, warning that failure to comply could result in stricter enforcement and penalties, and damage Vanuatu’s reputation as a welcoming destination for tourists.