2,970 inter-provincial private buses inspected

Irangika RANGE

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has inspected 2,970 private buses operated on inter-provincial routes with the objective of delivering a safe and secure passenger service.

According to the Transport Ministry's Spokesman, these 2970 buses have been inspected individually to ensure quality standards aimed at reducing the large number of fatal accidents in the country.

"Only 410 buses operated on inter-provincial routes have not been detected for inspection yet as some of these buses are operated in the North and the East while several others have been garaged for repairs," he said.

"We have ordered owners of these 410 buses to present their buses for the inspection as soon as possible to prevent the cancellation of the licences."

"We have cancelled 17 route permits of private buses which have been unable to maintain the required quality standards and other rules and regulations imposed by the NTC and RMV.

The NTC provides a time period to vehicle owners to rectify the shortcomings detected at the inspection.

Over 90 percent of private buses operated on inter-provincial routes have removed the stickers pasted in inside and outside of the buses following the instructions of the NTC. They are in the process of removing unnecessary decorations and fittings as fine squad teams are engaged in islandwide raids.