LTA proposes vehicle ownership limit

To alleviate the increasingly severe traffic congestion on the country's major highways, authorities have proposed measures including limiting the number of vehicles owned per household and implementing a quota system for used car imports.

Land Transport Authority (LTA) CEO Irimaia Rokosawa stated at a public consultation held this week in Nasinu regarding traffic congestion on the Suva-Nausori corridor that there is widespread public concern about the excessive number of vehicles on the roads, leading to traffic bottlenecks. He emphasized the need for proactive solutions to address the growing problem.

Mr. Rokosawa pointed out that the number of vehicle registrations increased from 144,000 to 154,000 between 2022 and last year. He also added that these figures do not include vehicle imports, and various car dealerships are stocked with unregistered vehicles. This surge in vehicle numbers is a significant contributor to the congestion issues.

Mr. Rokosawa explained, "The high volume of movement of residents along the Suva-Nausori corridor also exacerbates traffic congestion." He also mentioned that some individuals owning an "unreasonable" number of vehicles are engaging in illegal operations, such as unlicensed taxi services. The authorities have been investigating and addressing such activities, aiming to curb these illicit practices.

Regarding the proposal to limit the number of vehicle imports, Mr. Rokosawa expressed his agreement and stated that a solution must be found. "We are an island nation, and the construction of road infrastructure should be coordinated with the volume of vehicle imports. While owning luxury vehicles is good, it must be controlled to avoid causing other problems for the wider Fijian population." He also stated that the authorities are working with stakeholders and the Attorney-General's Office to ensure that these control measures are incorporated into regulations, similar to the approach taken in Singapore.