News
|
||||
New
rules for route permits? "We will primarily look into the number of buses plying on the same route before issuing a permit. This will be our main focus," he said. He also said route permits will not be issued merely on the request of owners and a gazette notification laying down the criteria will be issued soon. Commenting on the Alawwa rail-road disaster, Prof. Kumarage said that an inquiry was being held by a committee appointed by him, and the report would be submitted on Tuesday. "We deal only with bus owners. We have nothing to do with either the drivers or the conductors. Driving licences are issued by the RMV. But we are responsible for issuing road permits to bus owners and hopefully some action might be taken following the recommendations of the report," Prof. Kumarage said. He also said the NTC also hoped to start a school for drivers in September. Meanwhile, the North West Bus Company has blamed the NTC for the accident. "We have been continuously urging them to install a proper system, but little was done. For instance, we urged them for a systematic time-table, to avoid the competition. This accident occurred because of the lack of a proper time table, which forced drivers on the same route to compete," an official of the company said. Meanwhile a spokesman for the Kurunegala Bus Owners Association said they had no authority over drivers and conductors. "Our association is meant to perform welfare activities, so we cannot take disciplinary action on drivers and conductors. Suspension is the only action we can take against them," the spokesman said. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
