BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The Honiara Central Magistrate Court fined a bus driver and his conductor $1000 each after they were caught operating an unauthorised short public transport route, in breach of business license conditions.
Samuel Maelisuta, 24, of Fo’odo Village, North Malaita, and Mr Mark Mao, 22, of Tuini Village, East Kwara’ae were charged for failure to comply with business license conditions under the Honiara City Council (Regulation of Business License) Ordinance 2011, as read with section 21 of the Penal Code.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of $5000.
Both pleaded guilty to the charge and opted to be self-represented in court despite being told of their constitutional right to be represented by a lawyer.
The incident occurred on Friday, April 24, 2026, when Honiara City Council law enforcement officers observed bus B-0948 operating a short route near the Kukum SDA Bred Bank bus stop.
The conductor was seen calling out to passengers for a discount bus stop short trip before the bus attempted to flee.
Officers pursued and later escorted the vehicle to the HCC station, where the driver and conductor were identified and charged.
Principal Magistrate Mrs Joyceth Paile, in delivering their sentence last Thursday, emphasised the responsibility that comes with operating public transport.
The court also considered their early guilty pleas, remorse, cooperation, and status as first-time offenders in light of the seriousness of their case. Specifically, that they were experienced in the transport sector, and should have known for certain that short routes are illegal.
The court also took into account of their disrespectful behaviour towards the HCC law enforcers when attempting to stop them.
Principal Magistrate Mrs Paile reminded them that the HCC does not have the capacity to enforce this regulation at all bus stops and that they should take responsibility now that they have been convicted to report similar breaches on the part of other buses.
Both men must pay their fines by Friday, May 8, 2026, or face 40 days’ imprisonment in default.
HCC Director of law enforcement, Mr Robert Madeo, warns bus owners to instruct their drivers and conductors not to engage in illegal short routes, stressing that offenders will be arrested and charged.
Mr Harry Bisafo of the Honiara City Council, prosecuted the case, and the offenders were self-represented in court.
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