Over 50 trucks still operating illegally, says Transport CEO

October 6, 2024 9:51 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Ezra Toara.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Land Transport Authority (PLTA), Reginald Tabi, has raised concerns about the number of buses and trucks operating illegally in Port Vila, urging the government to take decisive action to address the issue of roadworthiness.

CEO Tabi pointed out that many vehicles, particularly trucks, are old and unfit for use, with numerous units operating without proper documentation. He mentioned that efforts have been made to enforce roadworthiness checks, but many drivers avoid compliance by neglecting to complete the necessary paperwork.

“Some of the vehicles should have been decommissioned by now, but around 50 old trucks are still running on the road,” he said.

According to Tabi, many of these vehicles, despite having visible issues such as broken chairs and malfunctioning doors, are still certified as roadworthy. He stressed the importance of addressing the issue, especially since there is currently no age limit for vehicle insurance policies in Vanuatu.

“We can insure very old vehicles, but that increases the risk of accidents. Insurance companies should help by cutting off coverage for old vehicles,” the CEO added.

Tabi said a large number of trucks are operating without valid documents. Although some have proper paperwork, they are still driving illegally. Early last month, authorities began operations to identify these vehicles, estimating that more than 500 vehicles are currently operating with valid documents. However, many trucks without proper documentation continue to evade detection.

He added that it is easier to identify vehicles with proper documentation, as those with valid papers display 2024 stickers. Currently, there are 1,200 buses, common transport vehicles, and taxis operating on Efate, but the exact number of private vehicles remains unknown.

In Santo, there are more taxis than buses, whereas Efate has a higher number of buses on the road. Tabi mentioned that reducing the number of buses would be up to the responsible minister, who has the authority to take action.

Tabi revealed that in 2017, the number of buses in Port Vila was around 2,000, registered by the PLTA after inspection by the Public Works Department. Since then, the figure has been reduced to 1,200, following approval from the minister responsible.