NCDC to provide shuttle service to all games venues

THE National Capital District Commission will be providing a bus shuttle service for city residents for the duration of the XV Pacific Games.

Co-ordinator of the NCDC Pacific Games Secretariat, Frank Aku said; “The shuttle service is to allow as many residents as possible to see the Games.”

It is the ‘ParknRide’ program of the NCDC for the Games in which 19 buses will be used to cover all Games venues in the city.

The program was initiated to control the flow of people and traffic during the two-week regional sporting event which begins on July 4.

“The whole idea of ParknRide is to control traffic and avoid traffic congestions in all Games venues including the Games village,” he said.

Four venues have been selected as official parking spots: Jack Pidik Park, SP Park opposite Boroko Foodworld at Gordons and two spots at PNG Defence Force HQ, Murray Barracks.

Aku said owners can park their vehicles at these designated car parks and get on the shuttle buses free of charge to the games venues of their choice with their families.

“Our emphasis is to allow the residents to be part of this significant sporting event of the Pacific without having to worry about traffic congestions and parking.

“We encourage residents especially motorists to utilize this ParknRide arrangement by driving to the ParknRide location closer to the games venue of choice and the shuttle service will bring you to the venue,” he said.

He said vehicle owners who ignore this program and decide to park at the Games village and games venues will be redirected by police to the designated parks.

The shuttle buses will be programmed on a 10 to 15 minutes schedule to the games venues and back to the parking lots.

“We will be putting up fences, line markings, security lights and static security personnel including police at the four parks to ensure the safety of our people and their vehicles.”

NCDC security personnel will also be escorting the public on the shuttle buses.

The buses are scheduled to start operating at 9am to 9pm every day.

 Full details will be advertised in the media soon.

He said spaces will also be allocated for food and arts & craft vending only at the Jack Pidik Park for locals and visitors alike.

Interested vendors can call into the Health division office at Lagatoi Haus to enquire.