PUBLIC buses charging $5 a trip must be reported to the nearest police station.
That’s the advice from Kukum Traffic police officer Pauline Ngele.
She stated this after passengers complained some public buses are charging $5 per rout.
This came after the Honiara City Council warned buses to stop travelling shorter routes and follow the new routes it issued last Friday.
The council said fares on the new routes should remain at $3.
Passengers who rang up the Solomon Star yesterday claimed bus conductors and drivers ordered them to pay $5 when boarding their buses.
“Any buses charging $5 should be reported to the nearest police station,” Ms Ngele said.
“The changes imposed by the city council only affect the routes, not the fares,” she added.
“So the fare is $3, not $5.”
Ms Ngele said short routes have been changed and all bus trips to be terminated at the bus stand at the Honiara Central Market, but busfare remains at $3 for adults and $2 for students.
She said it is not right for bus operators to charge fares above the normal rate because that is not included in the changes brought about by HCC.
Ms Ngele said traffic police will help HCC law enforcement to crackdown on those operating short bus routes and those charging fares above $3.
By AATAI JOHN
