NTC receives over 2,690 complaints

Irangika RANGE

The National Transport Commission (NTC) hotline received 2,691 public complaints regarding offences committed by private bus drivers and conductors from January 1 to May 31.

In an effort to enhance the public transport service, NTC introduced four special hotlines: 1955, 0112595555 , 0777595555 and 2587372 for the public to forward complaints on problems experienced in private bus services, NTC chairman Roshan Gunawardene told the Daily News .

He said most of the complaints were for overcharging, failure to return the balance money, being discourteous to commuters and failure to follow time tables. The hotlines received 839 complaints relating to overcharging and failure to return the balance money.

Meanwhile, 719 and 238 complaints were received for being discourteous to commuters and failure to follow the time table.

The hotlines also received 120 complaints for improper function of the air-condition in buses, 100 for not plying buses on scheduled routes, 242 for overloading passengers, 249 for not issuing tickets, 124 for not operating roadworthy buses, 214 for reckless driving, 291 for making haphazard stops, collecting and disembarking passengers, 32 for conflicts between bus crew, 16 for running buses without route permits and 52 for playing the radio too loud.

“NTC officials were instructed to respond quickly to public complaints. They carry out investigations. Disciplinary action will be taken if a conductor or driver is found guilty,” Gunawardene said.