The new Eda City Bus Service initiative by the National Capital District Commission had begun transporting commuters on their scheduled route runs this week in Port Moresby.
The Launching of the new Eda City Bus Service took place on Monday at the Apec Haus under the initiative of the NCD Governor, Honorable Mr. Powes Parkop and the National Capital District Commission.
The Eda City bus officially started its services Wednesday this week after the major launching on Monday at the back of almost a decade of planning and implementation.
Acting City Manager, Mr. Ravu Frank, said that this is one of the biggest decisions and accomplishments ever made in the commissions’ history to venture into public transport. He stated that this was a huge task on their path to commercially venture into the public transport service.
“As part of our initial trial, we will learn how to implement and sustain the data we get that will help us plan our vital policy transport. We’re taking the public transport very seriously as a result we will be investing into the visibility of finding viral solutions for the public transport in the city.”
“We are committed to venture into the public transport in the city and to roll this service out in the coming months by integrating all the interested PMV operators.”
Frank said that with a total of eight buses under Eda City Bus Limited, only five buses will be used to start off with and that they will continue to invest for the addition of more buses. According to Franks, these bus services will be assigned to seven routes by the city’s Road Transport Authority (RTA) and will follow a strict scheduled displayed at each of the bus stops.
“On completion of the trial, we will be sitting with the RTA to reform the routes with the intention to provide the service that is needed by our city residence.”
“We are now in the process of drawing up certain basic expectations in order for us to provide quantitative data to the interested PMV operators to team up with Eda City Bus. We hope to bring in as many PMV operators into our structure.”
In addition to this, NCD Governor Mr. Powes Parkop stated that the upbringing of this bus service in the city is part of NCDC’s Urban Development planning which took ten years to plan.
He said NCDC continues their aim in creating an efficient, sustainable, reliable and safe public transportation system for the everyone.
“We have two phases for what we have planned for our bus service, the first one, will have selected routes to run the service which will be Cash base system. Passengers will be required to pay cash when travelling on the bus.”
“From there, we will monitor, assess and move on to phase two which will then be a cashless service. This will see the introduction of a ticketing system for users which will progress onto having smart cards for the payment and use of the service. We plan on introducing the use of mobile phones with specific apps to fully support this venture, bearing in mind that what we do in the city must be of global standard.”
Parkop added that the NCDC transport division will be managing the bus service and ensuring that an efficient system for the people is safe and that it is on time.
“With the advantage of the bus service, this will save, increase productivity, fuel efficiency, reduce air pollution and reduce traffic congestion. Commuters will also be given less stress in the sense that they don’t have to drive their vehicle to work and end up being stuck in traffic which can be very stressful for most.”
Parkop also gave credit to the PMV operators and thanked them for their continuous contribution to the people of Port Moresby. As part of his appreciation towards them, Parkop encouraged the public operators to be partners with the Eda City Bus Service.
“Following the introduction of this new bus service, NCDC will set up a business entity called Eda City Bus Limited. Though will be initially owned by NCDC, diverse shares will be distributed to the public operators involved in this service.”
He added that the requirement is to maintain and obtain the service and that the bus runs on time as scheduled by RTA with NCDC prepared to subsidize on a monthly basis.
Parkop thanked all stakeholders and corporate partners for their support in making this happen and hopes that this service continues to help the NCD residents.