Fowzie gets tough on lingering buses

PILIYANDALA: Railways, Transport, Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie yesterday requested Police to take stringent legal action against bus crews which inconvenienced commuters by resorting to unnecessarily long stop overs at bus stops to take in additional passengers.

The Minister made this request when he attended a function at the Piliyandala Bus Stand to mark the inducting of six new buses to the Kesbewa Depot fleet.

Fowzie said even buses with teeming passengers are being delayed at bus stop to take in additional passengers causing undue hardship and harassment to passengers. Bus crews resorting to such tactics should be severely dealt with under the laws to prevent this bad habit and ensure a streamlined service.

Fowzie said the SLCTB had been always strengthened by SLFP led governments in the past while UNP governments had always tried to undermine it. He would take all possible steps to strengthen the SLCTB to provide an efficient bus service to the public. Provincial Council member Sunil Jayamini and former Deputy Minister Chandana Kathriarachchi were also present.