Legal action against errant bus operators

Chaminda PERERA

The National Transport Commission (NTC) yesterday reiterated that bus operators should comply with the new bus fare revision or face legal action. The Commission has suspended the route permits of over 60 long distance buses for over charging.

NTC Chairman Prof Amal Kumarage told the Daily News that provincial transport authorities have been empowered to deal with bus operators who fail to effect new bus fare revision effective from January 06.

"It is reported that conductors still continue to charge bus fares effective before January 6. These bus operators are also reluctant to display the bus fare revision list in their buses," he said.

He said the long distance bus service comes under the purview of the NTC and a team of officers were deployed to nab errant bus operators who overcharge passengers.

The commission is considering the suspension of their route permits or imposition of fines after initial inquiry. Prof. Kumarage said the Commission is not legally empowered to deal with bus operators other than long distance bus crew engaged in charging above the stipulated bus fare. "The provincial transport authorities should take action against them," he said. Bus fares on some routes had to be increased to rectify the existing bus fare anomalies, he said

The NTC announced a 4.3 per cent reduction in bus fare after diesel prices were reduced by the Government by Rs. 20. Some private bus operators in outstations and suburbs have not implemented the bus fare revision effective from January 6 to ensure that passengers benefit by the reduction of diesel prices by Rs 20 per litre.

Bus fares on certain routes have also been increased after fare reductions were implemented to rectify bus fare anomalies. However, passengers are still being charged the bus fare effective before January 06 as bus operators have failed to display revised bus fares in their buses.