Fowzie warns private busmen over new regulations

Rajmi Manatunga

COLOMBO: Transport Minister A.H.M. Fowzie yesterday warned that he would take steps to operate State-owned buses at half the present fare if private bus operators failed to comply with the new regulations introduced for commuter well-being.

Addressing a ceremony to mark the expansion of the newly launched women only bus service, Fowzie said the Government was ready to face any loss in its effort to regularise and standardise the private bus service.

The Ministry on Monday reintroduced rules making it an offence for private bus operators to overload passengers. In terms of the regulations, the permitted number of passengers in AC buses has been limited to seating capacity while the permitted number of standing passengers in normal buses has been restricted to 50 per cent of the seating capacity.

The Minister said the new regulations were aimed at ensuring a safe and comfortable ride for commuters particularly in view of the private bus owners' refusal to bring bus fares down in line with the recent fuel price reductions.

The private bus service constitutes nearly 70 per cent of Sri Lanka's total bus population, with 17,000 buses operating in most parts of the country.

Congestion caused by overloading passengers has been a constant complaint made by private bus commuters.