Dear Editor – As a regular weekday traveller on public transport, I wish to commend and acknowledged transport providers for their determination and he responsibility.
On top of that there is a strategic and crucial change that needs to be adhered to in order to meet professional standards.
First drivers who smoke while driving, with passengers at the back.
It is really unpleasant especially, in the morning rush, when children women and men are ready for work and they start inhaling many forms of polluted air.
Some drivers Just put on their cigarettes and smoke while they drive.
Even worse, they chew betel and start spitting in front, while driving.
Some drivers and conductors even share cigarettes during the journey.
Some even stop to light up a cigarette or stop at the street markets not at Bus stops, to buy cigarettes while passengers wait patiently.
At this stage, I am questioning the Tobacco Act and whether these drivers are aware of the Act.
Actually, if you watch morning acts at the bus stop opposite Town Council office, people tend to choose buses with non-smoking drivers.
I do not know whether the drivers and conductors realise this.
Sometimes, they would call for passengers while a cigarette is in their hands but no one responded because they don’t want to travel with a smoking bus conductor.
To be honest, some are really professional and I admire and appreciate the way they conduct themselves.
But in some instances that I witnessed, conductors and drivers communicate about secret part of females; either they see along the road or one of female passengers who just boarded the bus.
Frankly most of these drivers are from Malaita.
How would you feel, if someone describes your sister, relative or wantok like that, when you’re present?
Therefore, I call on transport owners to consult with their drivers to change their way of conduct and control their emotions.
Furthermore, it’s time to improve service delivery to meet the required standard.
As we all are aware, we just win 2023 SPC bid, and other continuous activities such as tourist visits, should demand change and improvement in transport providers and service.
Gabriel Riotarau
Mbokona Area
Honiara
