Bus strike called off

Nethali STRUYS

The private bus strike launched by operators on the Gampaha Colombo bus route yesterday morning was resolved and services resumed by noon yesterday following the withdrawal of the new bus permit the Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne.

The bone of contention which led to the strike was the route permit issued to a new bus to operate on the Mirigama Panadura route. Following discussions with the PBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne, the Western Province Passenger Transport Authority (WPPTA) Chairman Piyasena Dissanayake agreed to withdraw the new permit.

He further said that even the ministry was against issuing new route permits till the new time tables are implemented in the public transport system, since this creates clashes.