SLCTB flying squad nets in close to Rs1 m

Irangika RANGE

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLCTB) flying squad nabbed 2,762 passengers for ticketless travel and earned Rs 944,775 as fines during the last six months.

Transport Deputy Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake told the Daily News 386 flying squad teams attached to the SLCTB head office in Narahenpita and regional depots jointly carried out raids across the country during the last six months.

He said 4,610 raids and operations were conducted during this period.

Flying squad officials had checked the issuance of tickets on 62,643 SLCTB buses plying islandwide during the period. The failure to issue tickets, travelling beyond the stipulated destination on tickets and technical errors and frauds committed by bus crew were detected during the raids. The flying squad collected Rs155,213 as fines from 500 ticketless passengers in January while fines amounting to Rs 187,413 had collected from 520 ticketless passengers in February.

Fines amounting to Rs138,282, Rs,171,427, Rs143,130 and Rs149,310 were collected from 406,481, 438 and 417 ticketless passengers in March, April, May and June this year. Meanwhile, SLTB flying squads also nabbed 544 conductors engaged in ticket frauds and suspended their services. Another 2,260 drivers and conductors had been apprehended for other misdemeanors.