Cruise ship traffic management plan comes to life

BUS and taxi madness, together with rip-off fares that greeted cruise ship passengers in Port Vila, will be consigned to history next week.

The much awaited traffic management plan (the plan) proposed by Vanuatu police months ago will be implemented on a trial basis from December 14.

It follows many months of discussions between the Department of Tourism (DOT), Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO), Ifira Mamas, Bus Drivers and Taxis Associations, the Vanuatu Tour Operators Association (VTOA), P&O and the Vanuatu Police Force.

VCCI councillor Bryan Death, who co-ordinated the program, said  all drivers will have been given a copy of ‘The Plan’ by December 14 to read and follow during all future cruise ship days in Port Vila.

He said implementing ‘The Plan’ is very timely and will bring huge benefits to the thriving cruise ship market, with the news that it will grow by a further 20 per cent in 2012 when 112 cruise ships are scheduled to visit the waters of Vanuatu.

Mr Death said in conjunction with the implementation of ‘The Plan’ new tourist taxis and bus fares have been scheduled.

“A new sign to this effect will be erected on the wharf shortly to assist passengers to determine the cost of the various services each transport service offers,” he said.
“The rescheduled fares will also be tabulated and published by P&O both on board and in their Vanuatu daily news updates.

“It has been a lot of hard work, but something much needed to continue to improve the Vanuatu experience for cruise ship passengers.’’
He said that the improved passenger experience should ensure that more people came ashore from each cruise ship.

“This would translate into more revenue for all concerned with servicing the cruise ship market,” he said.

Disembarking P&O passengers had previously spoken about fearing for their safety as they were hassled by drivers, many demanding fares of up to VT 5000 from the ship to the centre of Port Vila.

There were also cases reported to The Independent of private vehicles being hit by rocks hurled at them by drivers angry that they were seemingly losing business.

Some passengers said scenes were so bad at times that they turned around and went back on board their cruise ships and gave Port Vila a total miss.

Mr Death said total passenger arrivals by cruise ships in 2012 will possibly reach the 200,000 mark.