Sweeping changes to private bus service

NTC to make it viable and effective:

Rasika SOMARATHNA

COLOMBO: The National Transport Commission (NTC) planning to bring in sweeping changes to the private bus service to make it a more viable and effective service, Chairman L. Wimalarathna said.

"At the moment the decisions pertaining to the private bus sector is taken by the provincial councils in the relevant areas. As such we do not have a common agenda for the whole country. This has affected the efficiency of the private bus service", said the NTC Chairman adding that their plan was to form a decision-making body which would be responsible for a common policy with regards to the private bus service.

According to the Chairman, a committee has been formed to look into this. The Chairman of this committee is Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and the other members are the NTC chairman, Transport Secretary Leelarathna, Chairman of the CTB, all the Chairmen of the CTB bus companies and the President of the private bus owners association Gemunu Wijerathna.

The committee had spoken to all the Provincial Council Chairmen and private bus organisations and commuters to prepare proposals which would appease all sectors.

"To make this a more efficient service we have to look into the problems faced by both the commuters and bus owners.

Various councils charge different charges from the bus owners and there is serious problem pertaining to the issuing of route permits we have come across situations where some officials abused their authority. We will not hesitate to take legal action against them, said the Chairman.

According to the chairman one of the major proposals is to form private bus companies in some areas. These companies would consist of 50 buses or less according to requirement.

These companies would be entrusted with carrying out a quality and efficient service and committees would be formed to overlook the matters of these companies.

The committee will meet on June 5 to finalise the proposals. The Authorities have been invited, said Wimalarathna adding that as soon as they complete the process, proposals would be handed over to Transport minister A.H.M. Fowzie.