News
New laws this year to steer in clarity to modification of buses
View(s):By Sandun Jayawardana
The government hopes to finalise and pass legislation pertaining to design and modification of buses this year, Transport and Highways Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena told the Sunday Times.
Cabinet this week approved a proposal by Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake to appoint a committee representing relevant institutions to submit a report with recommendations on the legal aspect of changing the design and modification of buses.
Buses with varying modifications. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
At present, design changes and modifications to buses can be made with prior approval of the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic in compliance with the orders issued as per provisions of the Motor Traffic Act. The Motor Vehicles (Construction) Orders published in 1983 have been amended from time to time, with regulations on the manner in which modifications could be made published in gazette notifications. In addition to fixing vehicle components and changing the construction declared by such orders, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMV), has also prepared guidelines for the decoration of buses and modification of components through an internal circular. Sixty buses had obtained approval for design changes and modifications through this procedure by paying a combined Rs. 6.6 million to the DMV.
The relevant orders though had not been published as per provisions of the Motor Traffic Act. This led to issues recently where police were seen stopping buses and instructing bus crews and owners to remove certain designs and modifications. Given this situation, the committee has been appointed to study the matter and submit recommendations.
Deputy Minister Gunasena said once the committee comes up with recommendations, a Cabinet paper will be submitted to make the necessary changes to the law to clarify the matter. The draft legislation will then be presented to Parliament for approval.
Once the law is in place, bus owners will have to submit the relevant approvals obtained for design changes and modifications when applying for renewal of licenses. Police will be able to check buses to see if approval had been granted for the changes made.
Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijerathna said they support the measure as certain unsafe and “crazy” design changes and modifications made to some buses were a threat to the safety of passengers. He said stainless steel bars in buses were of particular concern.
Mr. Wijerathna revealed that private bus owners recently attended a discussion with Minister Rathnayake and other officials where this and other matters relating to public transport was discussed. He said the introduction of a card system to be used as a substitute for cash when travelling in buses was also discussed. As part of measures to improve safety on buses, bus owners agreed to have bus drivers wear seat belts. Many of the newer bus models already have seat belts in the driver’s seat while seat belts will be installed on older models in the coming weeks. Mr Wijerathna was confident that the use of seat belts by all bus drivers could be implemented in about two months.
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