Talks to purchase buses under pay and earn system - Welgama

The Transport Ministry is discussing with three Chinese companies, several Indian companies and private bus associations to purchase new buses to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLCTB) under the earn and pay system, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said in Parliament yesterday.

He said the buses purchased under the system would not cost the government, since the buses are brought under the agreement to pay later from the income earned from them.

The minister said private bus associations are objecting this move but the ministry was having discussions to ascertain that it would not affect them in any manner.

Welgama said among the 7,735 buses belonging to the SLCTB, only about 5,932 buses are suitable for plying while 2,156 among them have been plying for over 15 years.

He said Rs 10,000 is deposited to bank accounts of every SLCTB employe monthly.

The minister said the rest of the money should be earned by the workers as the income from plying buses. He made these comments in response to a question raised by UNP MP Rosy Senanayake.