New buses for North

Irangika RANGE

With the victory of eliminating terrorism by heroic Armed Forces, the Transport Ministry is planning to streamline the public transport system for the convenience of Northern commuters.

Spokesman from the Transport Ministry told the Daily News the Government will especially establish the Transport Service as private sector is not functioning there for the last 15 years.

"We have planned to set up a new bus depot in Silavathura while adding 10 new buses to the existing fleet to meet the demand of commuters," he said. Meanwhile, depots in Kilinochchi and Mulaithivu will be reconstructed shortly. Both these places which were provided with an efficient service had not been defunctioning due to terrorism. A depot in Mannar will also be upgraded to a model depot while providing more buses, he said.

He explained that the transport services in Northern Province was below expectation and the efficiency had remained zero for many decades as a result of terrorist activities. "Despite many obstacles, we have to fill the existing vacancies of drivers and conductors while improving the infrastructure facilities in the Province," he noted.

Once the troops will clear the roads in the area, the Government will take steps to improve roads which were badly damaged due to the war. Special bus and train services will soon be operated for the benefit of northern people who are dreaming a bright future in the state transport system.

Meanwhile, the Government has provided nearly 250 new buses to enhance the transport facilities in the welfare villages in Vavuniya.