A HONIARA resident has expressed her frustration about the Central Market-Lunnga public bus route, saying some public buses have taken advantage of this route to charge passengers unreasonably.

The normal bus fare within the Honiara City Council jurisdiction is $3.00 per adult and $2.00 per child or student, while the direct Central Market- Lungga bus route fare is $5.00 per passenger and anyone who gets dropped off at any bus stop between the Central Market and Lungga has to pay $5.00. 

Mary Ramo deems this is totally unfair and a financial rip off by the public bus service providers along this so-called Central Market-Lungga direct route because they charge $5.00 across the board on each and every passenger, regardless of their age group and the bus stop that they get dropped off.

She said if inflation is the reason for this hike, then everyone else in the country is suffering from the high cost of living and this does not justify the action by public bus service providers along this so-called Central Market-Lungga direct bus route to unfairly charge their passengers.

“Some bus conductors are just too mean and can talk harshly to passengers and some bus conductors even threatened to drop off some passengers immediately on the road side when they give them only $3.00 as they will get off the bus at the bus stops along the way and not at Lungga.

“At times, some bus conductors act deceptively when calling for passengers to board their buses at the Honiara Central Market bus bay. They do not clearly indicate where their buses are heading until they reach a bus stop and tell everyone to get off because they are heading a different destination,” Ms Ramo said.

Ms Ramo said this kind of attitude by the public bus conductors and drivers does not reflect proper childhood upbringing.

 “As citizens of a Christian country and of a civilized world, it is important that each and every person understands the social etiquettes that guide our society. Parents are the first teachers of every child and they should ingrain these etiquettes into their children,” she added.

Ms Ramo said the development and prosperity of Solomon Islands can only be achieved when Solomon Islanders have a positive attitude towards everything and everyone.

“As such, parents must properly train their kids at home so that when they grow up, they become good citizens and do contribute to the betterment of the country,” she said.

 By IAN LADDS OSO

Solomon Star, Honiara