No minors in buses
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
Minors will not be allowed to work as “conductors” in public buses under new measures the Honiara City Council has come up with.
That’s according to deputy mayor and chairman of the Honiara City Bus Routes Regulation Taskforce Eddie Ngava.
Ngava stated this on Friday when the council announced moves to address the illegal short bus routes drivers have been practicing in Honiara over the past four years.
In a number of cases, minors have been seen working as “conductors” in either family-owned buses or those of friends and relatives.
But according to Ngava, this is illegal.
“Under the Labour Act, under-age or those below 18 years of age are not allowed to carry out heavy duty work and working on buses in no exception,” Ngava said.
“Section 49 of the Labor Act 1996 stated that any person under the age of eighteen shall not be employed or allowed to do heavy duty work,” he added.
Ngava said that smoking is prohibited in public motor vehicles and that good dress code for public bus workers is important, especially as we try to promote tourism here.
“Smoking is not allowed on public transport like buses or taxis. It’s an offense to do so and must be reported to HCC law enforcement or the police.”
Meanwhile, city mayor Andrew Mua said that the national government and HCC are currently working on bus route numbers around town.
Mua says that while they are closely working on establishing that system, the first issue they have to address is the short bus routes where they now establish new bus routes in town.
“The idea of numbering buses is still on our working papers, and will come later. For now we start with establishing new bus routes.
“Some control must be taken so that we can regulate HCC’s business licences in order to have an understanding between the public and the bus operators.”
All buses are expected to have their route sign board carrying their route destination by tomorrow.
Buses Business license for a year is $1000, while taxi owners are charged $800.
Bus fare remains at $3 for adult $2 for students and children.
In order for licences to be issued, the conditions of the public vehicle must be of MID and HCC’s required standard.
