[Published on Tuesday, 5 May 2026]
BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The Magistrate’s Court has fined a bus driver and a conductor $1000 each for breaching business license conditions by operating on a short public transport route.
Howard Muleala, 24, of Maoa Village, West Kwaio, Malaita Province and Andrew Foasi, 29, of Bona village, West Kwaio, Malaita Province were charged for failure to comply with Business License Condition Contrary to section 4 (c) as read with section (8) (1) (a) of the Honiara City Council (Regulation of Business License) Ordinance 2011, as read with section 21 of the Penal Code.
Both pleaded guilty on Thursday, April 30. The offence carries a maximum penalty of $5000.
It was alleged that on April 22, 2026, Honiara City Council law enforcement officers observed a bus, with registration B-1421, running a short service between Woodford Car Park Bus Stop to Borderline Bus stop.
The bus was stopped and later identified as operating on a short route, without making a complete destination from Borderline Bus stop to Central Market Bus stop.
Principal Magistrate Joyceth Paile, in delivering the sentence on Thursday last week, reminded the offenders of their responsibility that comes with operating public transport services in the country.
The court considered both the driver and the bus conductor’s early guilty plea, remorse, and status as a first-time offender, their cooperation with the law enforcement officers, the fact that they were self-employed and their young age in view of rehabilitation prospect and as well as their decision to be self-represented in court in light of the seriousness of the offence.
Both must pay a consecutive fine of $1000 each by Friday, May 8 or face 40 days imprisonment in default.
Robert Madeo, HCC director of law enforcement unit told Island Sun yesterday that bus owners should tell their drivers and conductors not to engage in illegal short route, or else they will be arrested and charged for breaching the business license conditions.
Harry Bisafo of Honiara City Council is prosecuting the case and the offenders were self-represented in court.
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