No standing commuters in buses and trains

By Sandun A Jayasekera

Power Energy and Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the National Transport Commission (NTC) would promote the concept of accommodating bus passengers only up to the seating capacity first in SLTB buses and later in private buses and trains.   

He said a study conducted by the NTC has found that train and bus passengers take great pains in travelling in public transport at peak hours. They also face a lot of harassment and risk while travelling.   

“Every passenger travelling in a train, SLTB or private bust has a right to have a seat from the boarding point to the destination once he or she pays the fare,” he said. “The laws will be strengthened to make it compulsory for private bus conductors to issue a ticket clearly indicating the destination, the boarding point and the fare.”   
He said the government would stop producing buses using lorry engines as travelling in those buses is extremely difficult and also they are an environmental menace. 

 
Responding to a journalist, he said government was not in a position to give a diesel subsidy or pay a compensation to private bus operators.