Route permits of striking private bus operators to be cancelled

Chamikara Weerasinghe

The National Transport Commission yesterday announced that it will take steps to cancel the route permits of those private bus operators who struck work yesterday supporting a strike action, which was organized by the All Island Private Bus Companies Federation.

National Transport Commission (NTC) Chairman Roshan Gunawardhena said they will cancel the route permits of those who took part in the strike action with immediate effect.

Private Transport Services Minister C B Ratnayaka has reportedly ordered the Commission to cancel the route permits of bus operators that joined yesterday's strike, thus inconveniencing commuters.

Gunawardhena said the NTC received instructions from Minister Ratnayaka to cancel route permits of those bus operators whose actions hindered the rights of innocent bus-dependent commuters.

NTC sources said the Commission has already identified the buses that pulled out of operation causing inconvenience to the public. "Among them are buses that ply on routes Negombo - Kiriulla, Colombo - Katharagama, Colombo - Ambalangoda, and Colombo Kurunegala, " NTC sources said.

NTC Chairman Gunawardhena has reportedly directed the Commission's Transport Director to conduct necessary inquiries on the matter and effect cancellation of route permits of those supported the strike.

Private Transport Services Minister C B Ratnayaka has ordered Provincial Transport Authorities to cancel the route permits of bus operators who pulled their buses from the road in support of the strike by All Island Private Bus Companies Federation. NTC Chairman has called for a report on the situation from Provincial Transport Authorities. The All Island Private Bus Companies Federation staged the strike based on several demands, including a bus fare hike. According to NTC Chairman Gunawardhena the demands were unfair.

According to Provincial Transport Authorities, the strike hardly created an impact as many did not take part in it.