Inter-provincial special private bus service:

NTC receives 116 complaints

Irangika Range

The National Transport Commission (NTC) received 116 complaints from passengers regarding the inter-provincial special private bus service operated during the festive season.

An NTC spokesman said most complaints were for overcharging, failure to return the balance to passengers, being discourteous to commuters and the non-issuance of tickets.

He said they received 33 complaints regarding overcharging during the special bus service.

The spokesman said among other complaints were, failure to follow a timetable, overloading, operating unroadworthy buses, delay in reaching destinations on schedule and failure to adhere traffic rules.

"We received 21 complaints on harassment of commuters and 15 on failure to follow a timetable," he said.

"We will summon the alleged offenders before the Commission. Stern action including the cancellation of route permits will be taken if they are found guilty," the spokesman said.

He said the detections were made by the mobile investigation units of the Commission during the festive season.

Raids were carried out in all five main roads including Galle Road, High Level Road, Low Level Road, Kandy Road and Negombo Road.

The inter-provincial special private bus service commenced on December 21 and will continue until January 1.

The NTC said complaints could be made on hotlines 1955 and 2595555 operative 24 hours.

He said all complaints made to NTC will be scrutinised.