Transport in Papua New Guinea

Road transport is the main land-based system, but it combines formal services with informal practices. A public motor vehicle, usually called a PMV, is a bus or minibus operated for passenger transport. PMV licences can specify the permitted area, streets or highways, stopping points, maximum passenger number and timetable. A PMV driver needs the relevant driver endorsement or permit, and a crew member may need a separate permit. Provincial Governments handle licensing within one province, while Road Traffic Authority (RTA) offices in Port Moresby, Mt Hagen, Lae and Kokopo handle relevant regional or interprovincial matters. Taxis are another established urban and regional option, but availability and service conditions differ by place. The Department of Works and Highways manages the national road network, the Road Fund, maintenance and the Connect PNG programme. Its maintenance information refers to approximately 8,700 kilometres of national roads. Gazette G345/G346-2025 provides a legal classification and describes Connect PNG expansion toward 11,535 kilometres. These figures have different scopes and should not be treated as one confirmed current network length. Provincial and district authorities manage other road sections, so responsibility for maintenance depends on the specific road. The Highlands Highway, Hiritano Highway, Ramu Highway, Sepik Highway and New Britain Highway are among the major named corridors. Only a limited share of connections is paved and dependable throughout the year. Heavy rain, floods, landslides, coastal erosion and earthquakes can delay travel, damage bridges and close roads. Connect PNG and resilient-transport projects address bridges, drainage, slope stabilisation and pedestrian facilities, but conditions still vary significantly between the National Capital District, the Highlands, Momase, the islands and remote areas. Some settlements therefore depend on air or water access rather than continuous road travel. For 2026 to 2030, the approved regulatory period increases the maximum PMV fares by 20 percent in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028. In the National Capital District, the maximum urban adult PMV fare is K1.60; longer urban and peri-urban journeys often cost about K2 in practice. Taxi fares may reach K4.50 as the initial charge plus K5.90 per kilometre. These are maximum amounts, and lower fares or continuing concessions may apply. Actual payment depends on the service area, distance, vehicle and availability, so the fare should be confirmed before travel. A motor vehicle generally needs registration, a roadworthiness certificate, current third-party insurance and the required fee. A safety sticker is required, and inspection is required at least every six months. PMVs and taxis need additional operating and driver permissions. A foreign driving licence is accepted for up to six months after entry and may require an English translation; a full licence can be issued for one to five years depending on the applicable process. Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL) and Provincial Governments provide practical licensing services in relevant locations. Papua New Guinea drives on the left. Under the Road Traffic Rules 2017, the maximum speed is generally 60 km/h in towns, 100 km/h outside towns and villages, 40 km/h within a village, and 25 km/h at an intersection. A 25 km/h limit also applies near a school or playground when children are present and at pedestrian or children’s crossings; drivers must allow people crossing to pass. Seat belts are required where a seat is equipped with one. The road-user rules also apply to drivers, riders, passengers, pedestrians and animals. Air travel is essential for places without adequate road links. The National Airports Corporation manages 22 national airports, and Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby is the international gateway. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea oversees civil aviation safety. Passengers must follow the safety briefing, seat-belt signals, smoking restrictions, security checks and crew instructions. Tickets, schedules and access depend on the company and the specific service. Sea transport connects coastal and island communities and supports international trade. PNG Ports manages a 15-port network, with Lae and Port Moresby as major gateways. The National Maritime Safety Authority supervises vessel and seafarer safety, search and rescue, and marine-pollution prevention. Passenger connections, schedules, permits and fares depend on the specific company and harbour; no nationwide passenger timetable or single tariff is established. Papua New Guinea has no operating national railway system. Government planning identifies rail only as a possible future option for 2035 to 2040, so rail is not a current travel alternative. There is also no reliably documented nationwide cycling network, bikesharing system or separate cycling tariff. People use bicycles individually where conditions allow, but cycling is not an established national transport subsystem. Walking remains practically necessary in many places, while formal footpaths and crossings are fragmented. The National Capital District has documented gaps in pedestrian facilities, and some Highlands Highway projects add separated walkways. Vehicle exhaust-emission standards apply, and transport planning increasingly uses climate-resilience standards for roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The maritime authority addresses marine pollution. A reliable national dataset for transport emissions or the modal split was not established in the available primary research, so national environmental comparisons should not be stated as precise figures.