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Last month we introduced to you Rusty's KTL1 (Kilo Tango Lima 1) of course our recently purchased Mitsubishi Canter which is now bound for Kokoda leaving tonight Friday 3rd September destined for Popondetta. On Monday Russell Eroro will travel down to Popondetta to meet the 'new' love of his life, and will drive it up to his block in Kokoda.
Today we, all the staff of Matryx Ltd, http://www.pngbd.com and Kokoda Trekking, could not pull the smiles off our faces as we took her out of the Auto Clinic workshop in Port Moresby where it has been for the past few weeks having the extra work needed to carry our passengers, backpacks and cargo.
Our PMV truck will soon be servicing the people of Kokoda by providing transport to Buna, Gona, Mt Lamington, Sananada, Popondetta and back and has just undergone final touches and has adopted an altogether new look.
Just take a look at the newlook Rusty's KTL1
2004_09_03_14_03_10.JPGOur truck is like no other truck in the whole of Papua New Guinea. Today, people were staring, wondering just what we had done to this Mitsubishi Canter PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) truck.
We have added the following:
- A cage or roof rack on top to hold trekkers back packs and or cargo
- Comfortable padded seats on either side
- Two spotlights on the front near the bull bar
- Bull Bar
- Two lights in the back roof passenger area
- Stereo, Cassette Player & two speakers at the back for our passengers entertainment.
- Two-Way Radio so we can communicate with our guides, porters & trekkers
This machine will be the pride and place of the people of Kokoda.
Just take a look at Russell who took possession of his truck at the Auto Clinic's Workshop today….he could'nt believe his eyes when he laid sight of the artwork and final design of his truck. We are all sure he will feel a lot of pride as he drives it back home on Monday after it docks at Popondetta:
2004_09_03_14_03_43.JPGThe vehicle has been purchased for the following reasons:
- To extend our trekking services to include, Buna-Sananada/Gona region.
- To enable us to offer a SLOW CRAWL to allow anyone, male/female/child/elderly to travel down to Popondetta and travel up to Kokoda….take a days walk up to Isurava if fit enough and walk back to Kokoda. Spend the night in Kokoda and fly back to Port Moresby with Airlines of PNG or drive back down to Popondetta and fly back in to Port Moresby with Air Niugini.
- To allow Russell Eroro (Kokoda Trekking Ltd) to earn an income for him and his staff during the off trekking season from November through to March.
- To stop Russell from having difficulties to travel back into Port Moresby from Kokoda when he has to attend meetings or attend to trekkers needs. On several occasions this year, Russell has been stranded in Kokoda when PMV's have been full and he could not get a ride to Popondetta. THIS WILL NOW NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!!!
- To carry cargo for his tradestore located in his family block in Kokoda.
- To transport our own trekkers/backpacks/cargo etc from the airport on the day they arrive in Kokoda to view the Kokoda Museum/monument area and then onto Russell's block where they will spend the night.
- To provide a PMV service to the people of Kokoda as its been a long time since anyone in Kokoda has owned a truck and up until now they have had to rely totally on services provided by PMV owners operating out of Popondetta.
- To give back to the community of Kokoda for their continued support with staff and help with our trekkers by providing sing sing groups/hospitality shown to our trekkers and much much more!
- To hire out to other trekking companies should they require our services
- To leave a legacy for the people of Kokoda who I have came to know since I started helping Russell commence his trekking company. If this venture is successful, many more will follow.
Jessie Garap our young radio operator who walked the trail recently and will be on hand to co-ordinate trekkers with our truck and drivers. Jessie was thrilled to be one of the first people to ride in Rusty's KTL 1
2004_09_03_15_29_28.JPGGava, our communications guy who helps with our TMS (Telephone Management Software), looks after our trek radio's and much much more – walks tall on top of the cargo cage. Gava who has a class 6 licence, drove the vehicle around for the first time before it headed to the main wharf for its voyage to Popondetta:
2004_09_03_15_27_42.JPG
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