SLTB aims to increase daily income

Irangika RANGE

The main aim of the Sri Lanka Transport Board(SLTB) is to increase its daily income to Rs 70 million from Rs 50 million which is the current income of the SLTB per day.

This will strengthen the SLTB while enabling it to face the challenge of private bus strikes, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said.

The Minister launching a new bus service between Panadura and Thotawatta following a request from the public of the area, said that the private bus operators often threatened to go on strike. "These bus owners not only inconvenience the travelling public but also hurt the economy," he said.

It is "unlawful to withhold public transport service due to personnel considerations. "Strikes will not be able to frustrate us and disturb our activities and we will not allow passengers to be stranded at bus halts due to strikes," the Minister said.

More SLTB buses will be kept in reserve to face urgent situations. Meanwhile, more SLTB buses will also be added to the fleet by strengthening the financial structure of the institution. "It is believed that drivers and conductors swindle nearly 25 percent of the income of the SLTB on a daily basis. Therefore, it is necessary to issue tickets for the fare paid by each passenger. Such irregularities could then be minimized," the Minister added.