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Bus fare increase comes with promise of better facilities
View(s):As a bus fare hike comes into effect next week moves are underway to upgrade passenger facilities, Private Transport Services Minister C. B. Ratnayake told the Sunday Times. He said improved facilities would be introduced within a month along with the drafting of a new bus fare policy. “Cabinet has granted approval to appoint a Ministerial Sub Committee to prepare a bus fare policy based on the standard of the bus service. The aim of the Committee is to formulate new standards that will ensure the quality of the service provided to passengers,” the Minister said.
NTC officials discuss new passenger facilities that will be introduced soon
The new bus fare policy would be drafted after consultations with organisations representing passengers, bus owners and Ministry officials, he said.Senior Minister and former Transport Minister A.H.M. Fowzie will head the sub committee that will also include Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena, Gamini Lokuge, Kumara Welgama and C.B. Rathnayake.
Some of the complaints received by the Sri Lanka National Transport Commision (NTC) against private buses included charging high bus fares, not giving balance money, inappropriate behaviour by conductors, malfunctioning air conditioners, over crowding buses unfit for travel, non-issuance of bus tickets, reckless driving sometimes by drivers without licences, blaring radios, and destination boards not being displayed.
Other complaints included ill treatment of women, including pregnant mothers, indifference towards the differently-abled and clergy, especially non-Buddhist clergy.
Meanwhile two weeks ago the Cabinet approved a seven percent hike in private bus fares. The State run buses followed suit. Lanka Private Bus Owners Association president Gemunu Wijerathne said the increase in fares was promised in March but it was only implemented in October.
“The Private buses incur a loss of Rs. 25 million a day and with the seven percent increase in the fares it will only reduce our by Rs. 10 million,” he said.
In January The NTC decided to install CCTV cameras in private buses following commuter complaints.Minister Rathnayake said of the 3000 buses that come under the ministry, CCTV cameras have been installed in 200 buses.
“If a driver or conductor does not abide with regulations they will be forced to undergo a training programme at their own expense. If they still continue to flout the rules it could lead to a cancellation of their ID’s and the owner of the bus will be fined,” a spokesman for the NTC said. Meanwhile authorities have so far failed to workout a joint-timetable for the operation of private and state run buses.
Mr. Wijerathne said, “These buses don’t run according to a proper timetable which is the main reason for many of the complaints.The government may regulate these buses, however it is the weakness within these regulating bodies that leaves room for these complaints. I believe with the introduction of a proper timetable these complaints will reduce by 95 percent,” he said.
Meanwhile the Railways Department said fares for journeys that exceeded 200 kilometres will be increased by Rs. 80 rupees from November 1.
A spokesman for the Railways said the decision was taken to rectify the existing differences in fares.