The
Land Transport Authority has attributed the increase in the number of people
buying vehicles to a healthy Fijian economy. LTA Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
Naisa Tuinaceva said this has been the trend over the past few years.
“In fact, the past year especially has seen a remarkable period of sustained
growth in the automobile industry and this is because our economy is quite
robust and the lending rates are pretty good too, and this has made it easier
for more people to buy a vehicle,” remarked Mr. Tuinaceva.
Vehicle registration crossed the 100,000 mark last year with a total of 101,425
vehicles registered by LTA, of which 8,959 were imported second hand vehicles
while 3,707 were brand new vehicles. In 2015, 69,968 vehicles were privately
owned.
The number
has since increased with a total of 103,415 registered vehicles currently
running on our roads of which 72,543 vehicles are privately owned while 11,246
are Public Service Vehicles (PSV).
In the first quarter of 2016, LTA registered 1,905 imported second hand
vehicles while 1,026 brand new vehicles hit Fiji roads during the same period.
Further, a total of 171, 369 drivers are registered drivers of which 129,360
drivers hold full driving license while 20,032 have provisional driving
license.
Mr.
Tuinaceva said the outlook remains very positive with every reason to expect
the vehicle market to hold steady in 2016.
However, he has also reminded the public to ensure they act responsibly on the
roads at all times.
“It is good that people can afford to have their own vehicles but with the
increase in the number of vehicles on our roads, the public must ensure that
they are careful at all times because one mistake can be costly and we do not
want that,” said Mr. Tuinaceva.
“Our advice to the public is to obey all road rules, be gracious on the roads and
drive and walk with care.”