|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 10 November 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
by Attanagalla special correspondent The Central Transport Board (CTB) is now geared to implement integrated planning to upgrade the State bus sector minimising fraud and shortcomings, Minister of Transport Felix Perera said. He made these observations at the inauguration of two new bus services from the Ranpokunagama housing scheme recently. One service is from Ranpokunagama to Colombo's 11 popular schools such as Royal, Ananda, Nalanda, Thurstan, D.S., Isipathana, Lumbini, Visaka, Gothami, Ananda Balika and Devi Balika and the other is a passenger service to Ja-Ela via Nittambuwa. The inauguration ceremony held at the Ranpokunagama Bauddha Viharaya was organised by the Ranpokunagama United Bus Travellers' Organisation. The Minister added the Govt's objective is to increase the present State bus fleet in order to complete with private sector. The government has already allocated Rs. 150 million for repairing abounded buses lying idle at depots, he said. There are over 2,000 such unroadworthy buses at CTB depots and workshops. On the President's initiative Rs. 90 million has been set apart to purchase spare parts for these buses, the minister added. The meeting was presided by Ven. Boliadde Dhammakiththi Thera. 35% of the income in lost is the regional depots annually owing to fraud by bus conductors. To curb these frauds the Ministry has decided to vest monitoring power with commuter associations along with CTB's flying squad. He called upon commuter associations to join flying squads to examine buses so that the government would be able to minimise such fraudulent acts and thus upgrade the State bus service. Referring to the train service, the Minister said a short-term action plan is under way to address urgent requirements of the rail service which includes the renovation of rail tracks, carriages and purchasing more rail carriages. Ven. Boliadde Dhamakiththi Thera, CTB vice chairman Nihal Perera, Ranpokunagama Travellers Organisation Secretary Palitha Ratnayake also spoke. Nobert Rajapaksa delivered the welcome speech. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
