More buses for school service

Irangika Range

Transport Minister Dulles Allahapperuma has decided to provide 100 more buses to implement a safe, reliable and economical school bus service to schoolchildren under the project of "Sisu Seriya".

A spokesman of the Transport Ministry told the Daily News that the Government has recognised this project as a very important segment in society.

The project is being implemented by the National Transport Commission (NTC) under the directives of the Transport Ministry.

He said that 100 new buses will be distributed to depots on April 3 to be implemented the school bus service in the countrywide.

There are a number of requests from schoolchildren, teachers and parents to expand the service.

This service would enable school children and teachers to attend the school punctually without any physical or mental harassment.

Parents spend nearly Rs.2,500 to Rs.3,000 monthly for school hiring services and this service is expected to ease the burden of parents by providing economical service by charging only half from the bus fare from the students.

He said only 200 school buses are being provided at present. This will be increased to 1,000 new buses by end of this year.

The NTC will provide a subsidy to encourage both private and public bus operators in providing satisfactory school bus services.

He said that school buses have been painted in both red and cream colours to recognise them separately from the SLTB passenger transport buses. Each bus displays the symbol of the "Sisu Seriya" as well.

He said that Depot Managers have been strictly advised to punctually operate school bus services islandwide.