Ticket machines, crew uniforms ‘must’ from January - SC
Wasantha Ramanayake
COLOMBO: The Supreme Court yesterday directed the Western Provincial
Road Transport Authority (WPRTA) to fully implement the gazette order
that required private bus operators in the Western Province to equip
their conductors with ticketing machines and the bus crew to wear
uniforms by January 1 next year.
The Supreme Court made the order when the fundamental rights
application filed by a resident and non- government organisation seeking
the effective implementation of the air quality laws in Colombo City was
taken up before the Court. The route permits of operators who do not
comply with this order will be cancelled.
The Court issued several orders under the proposed Urban Transport
Action Plan. The Court directed the IGP to consider removing the
barriers along the Galle Road in order to implement the pilot project.
Under this project buses would run along a dedicated lane, up and down
on Galle Road. They would not use the R.A. de Mel Mawatha.
The Court also issued notice on the Municipal Commissioner of the
Colombo Municipal Council to personally appear before Court and explain
as to why parking of vehicles was prohibited along the R.A.D. Mel
Mawatha in violation
of a Court order issued earlier. The Court also issued notice on the
Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB),
Dhammika Hewapathirana to co-operate with the WPRTA.
The chairman of the WPRTA and Sri Lanka Omnibus operators Association
Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne submitted that the SLTB had not co-operated to
implement the SLTB private combined bus time table in respect of route
No. 120 Colombo-Kesbewa. National Transport Commission Chairman Prof.
Amal Kumarage submitted that NTC would introduce such combined time
tables in respect of 20 major routes by December 20.
Prof. Kumarage submitted that combined time table would regulate the
bus service and reduce the number of buses needed. Gemunu Wijeratne
submitted that excess buses would be re-deployed on rural routes.
The Court also directed the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to conduct
meetings with the relevant stakeholders to restrict the movement of
containers between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to and form Colombo Port in order
to minimise the congestion during the rush hours.
The court also directed the National Transport Commission (NTC) and
the WPRTA to commence the operation of the Premium Bus Service in the
City by December 1, to restrict the flow of private vehicles to the
city. The court directed that the private bus operators should be
granted licences to operate this luxury service.
The court also directed the Chief Secretaries of the Provincial
Councils not to issue new route permits to private buses until the
preparation of the combined time tables. However, this would not be
applicable to areas where time tables have been finalised and vacancies
exist.
This was a sequel to an application made by Gemunu Wijeratne who also
submitted that 30% of private buses are in excess. The Bench comprised
Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC with Justice Ms. Shiranee
Thilakawardane and Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga.
Petitioners Geethani Wijesinghe and the Environment Foundation
Limited complained to the court that the air quality of the city is fast
deteriorating since a large number of vehicles come to the city. They
argued that the right to life would also include the right to an
environment conducive for such right and included the right to breathe
quality air to support a quality life. They complained that the
respondents have an obligation in law to ensure the air quality in the
city for public to lead a healthy life.
The petitioners cited seven respondents including Minister of
Environment, Central environment Authority, the Minister of Transport,
the Traffic Commissioner General and the Attorney General.
Uditha Egalahewa appeared for the EFL.
Deputy Solicitor General Bimba Thilakarathne Jayasinghe appeared for
the respondents.
Upali Jayamanne appeared for the chairman, WPRTA.
The application was put off for October 20. |
