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School van owners up in arms over Sisusariya programme
View(s):All Ceylon Inter District School Children Transport Services Association President, N.M.K. Harischandra Padmasiri said they would rally against the ‘Sisusariya’ project to provide transport for schoolchildren, initiated by the Ministry of Private Transport Services and the National Transport Board.
Criticising their action, he said they were supportive of the cause earlier as the project was designed to include them in the process as well.
“Earlier, the decision was taken after discussions between teachers associations, government officials and us, regarding the matter,” he said.
However, they were later dropped from the programme.
“We have always taken children to school and back home, with 15,000 drivers providing the service in 20 districts,” he said.
Mr Padmasiri said State buses were given the opportunity to transport students when they raised an issue, after school van drivers were told to charge only Rs 45 per km.
“If government pays for the service and also provides GPS systems, drivers could give a free service, but without considering our request, the transport commission decided to provide the service with State sector buses,” he said.
He said they have seen the programme lacks security in many ways, as drivers will change daily and would be a problem for the children’s security.
He said the Motor Traffic Dept inspects school vans to ascertain their roadworthiness, while ‘Sisusariya’ buses are not checked.
He said van drivers would face severe competition and fail to get adequate income due to the programme.
- (KW)