Fiji Sun

FRA Deploys Team to Fix Buca Bay Road

- SHRATIKA NAIDU Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj

AFiji Roads Authority (FRA) team has been deployed to carry out maintenanc­e work on the Buca Bay Road in Cakaudrove Province this week.

It, however, faces challenges such as change in weather patterns and continued rainfall to facilitate one of its core functions.

Vishnu Holdings Limited general manager Shonal Dutt said about 75 per cent of his bus operation was on unsealed roads, which haven’t been maintained by FRA for so many years.

“Every year we spend thousands of dollars on the repair and maintenanc­e of buses because they are always damaged by the bad road conditions,” Mr Dutt said.

“When officers of the Land Transport Authority find defects, they don’t ask the bus driver on the road what led to it, but instead issue a Traffic Infringeme­nt Notice (TIN).”

He said there wasn’t an equal level playing field in the system.

FRA has been told about his concerns because no matter what challenge it faces the company always provide bus services to ensure people are not affected.

FRA’s response

In an email response, FRA said the continuous rain over the past three weeks or more had delayed overall road reinstatem­ent works, and specifical­ly for unsealed roads. FRA continues to prioritise urgent works (after the impact of intensive rainfall) weather permitting, and will continue to provide service delivery to affected areas. Priority is given to customer and client queries/feedback highlighti­ng and identifyin­g areas of concern so FRA remains committed to providing proper and convenient road accessibil­ity.

 ?? Photo: Fiji Roads Authority ?? A Fiji Roads Authority contractor carrying out maintenanc­e work at Buca Bay Road in Cakaudrove on March 27, 2024.
Photo: Fiji Roads Authority A Fiji Roads Authority contractor carrying out maintenanc­e work at Buca Bay Road in Cakaudrove on March 27, 2024.
 ?? ?? Vishnu Holdings Limited bus stuck at Buca Bay Road in Cakaudrove on March 25, 2024.
Vishnu Holdings Limited bus stuck at Buca Bay Road in Cakaudrove on March 25, 2024.

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