Australia is partnering with Honiara City Council to build five bus shelters along Honiara’s busy Mendana and Kukum Highways, providing accessible, all-weather protection for thousands of travelling public.

Construction of the first bus shelter commenced this week at China Town/Ministry of Health and Medical Services bus stop.

New shelters will also be built at Lawson Tama, King George VI, National Referral Hospital and Kukum Hot Bread stops.

Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton said Honiara’s busy PMV network serves thousands of people each day going to work, school and market, with users needing to queue at peak times in the hot sun and rain.

“These new shelters are a great way to support public transport users, and make catching a bus more comfortable and accessible to everyone,” Hilton said.

“This project will use local companies, helping to grow the economy and support local jobs,” he added.

Hilton said the shelters have been planned, designed and constructed locally to maximise jobs for Honiara construction companies and suppliers.

_{Construction underway at the new China Town/Ministry of Health and Medical Services bus stop}.

Construction will include two graduate tradeswomen from Australia’s Green Construction Training Program.

“Each shelter has timber seating and a concrete surface made level with the adjacent footpath to enable safe access.

The new shelters will also be located to encourage bus drivers to park within the bus bay area, rather than at the entrance – which can block other traffic and cause delays.

The bus shelter project is being implemented in close partnership with Honiara City Council and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development to ensure good communications and planning alignment.

Hilton said Australia’s partnership with Solomon Islands prioritised thoughtful, quality construction, which maximised local skills and jobs, and helped create social and economic opportunities for every part of society. 

“These bus shelters are another example of our responsiveness to the needs of government, and their critical role of providing citizens with infrastructure that led to opportunities to live safe, productive and prosperous lives.”

The five bus shelters will be completed by the end of June 2024.