Private bus operators call off strike

Athapattu Bandara

Private bus operators in the Western Province called off their strike following a discussion with Western Provincial Council Transport Minister Upali Kodikara who promised to provide a solution to their grievances immediately, All Island Private Bus Owners' Union Federation secretary Anjana Priyanjith said.

The strike was launched against the irregular issuing of route permits by the Western Province Passenger Transport Authority for several buses, while there is an excess of buses in the Province. Yesterday some private buses had withdrawn from passenger transport but there were no severe congestion or obstacles to the commuters as the SLTB provided an efficient service.

Priyanjith said that the strike was called off as the authorities have decided to hold discussions on the issue. He said the minister promised to carry out a passenger survey to verify whether any additional buses should be deployed or not on some routes.

He also promised to appoint a committee comprising representatives of both private bus trade unions to discuss the problems and deploy new buses only on the required routes, he said.