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Bus and train rides more dangerous and pricey
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Pic by Indika Handuwala
A double-digit fare increase for public and private buses this week amid the diesel scarcity is making life more perilous for the majority of Sri Lankans. There are fewer and fewer buses and trains. On Friday, 22 trains had been halted.
School children have been seen climbing onto the rooftop luggage racks of buses and some have been riding small bullock carts to schools. In the central hills in Bandarawela, passengers have been seen taking risks with their lives hanging outside one-door SLTB buses that run on narrow, winding roads.
In Colombo, commuters including those travelling with children have fewer and fewer choices.
Kiribathgoda resident R Kumarasiri, a teacher, told the Sunday Times he had to go to Galle to extend the temporary transfer of his pregnant wife who was working at a school in Kiribathgoda. He paid Rs 1,000 for an air-conditioned intercity bus, because he had no other choice.
“Earlier, the bus fare was around Rs 900. It is unbelievable that prices are high,’’ he said.
After he had reached Galle he had hired a three-wheeler to the Labuduwa provincial education office. “The three-wheeler had a meter taxi sticker, but [the driver] said he would take the hire only if he was given Rs 1,000. But, after reaching the destination, he asked for Rs 1,200.”
According to the fare mechanism, he should have been charged Rs 460 for five kilometres, based on Rs 100 for the first kilometre, he said.
Most three-wheelers have also begun to offer ‘share’ hires to two different people going to the same destination.
Some drivers said they buy fuel at Rs 1,000 a litre through third parties.
Bus and train passengers are angry that services have been slashed.
There are fewer and fewer buses and trains. On Friday, 22 trains had been halted. Pic by Upendra Jayathunga
H.P Upul, a regular train commuter, said only a few trains operated during the week and some passengers were hanging outside the carriages.
“More trains should operate when there are more commuters, but they reduce the number of trains,” he said.
Railway Engine Drivers Union president K.A.U. Kondasinghe said services were disrupted because employees were at fuelling stations.
Private bus operators said even kerosene was not available.
Some bus owners are known to use kerosene.
Private Bus Owners Association president Gamunu Wijeratne said even though fuel was provided at Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depots, not everyone would operate their buses.
“Most state employees work from home, some people use bicycles. Without fuel we cannot run buses. Only 10% of private buses are running, but in future we won’t be able to operate buses,” he said
All-Island Three-wheel Driver’s Union president Lalith Dharmasekara said that although the government announced that there was no fuel, drivers were in the queues.
Most drivers who run hires do not sell their fuel, there are some who engage in underground sales, he said.
“Nearly all three-wheel drivers pull petrol out of their tanks because we are given 7.14 litres, which is nearly a full tank. So we need to empty the tanks to get the quota,’’ he said.
Fares are increased to match fuel prices, he said.
Even goods transport providers are demanding higher charges.
The Association for Container Transporters has decided to increase rates by 10%.
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