More train, buses from Monday

More trains and buses would be deployed from Monday (June 1) to ease the passenger transportation in the country, transport authorities said.

The Railways Department, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and the National Transport Commission (NTC) said they expected more people would use the main transportation services after relaxing the police curfew in the country.

Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said 33 trains would be assigned from Monday. 

He said 19,593 staff members had registered at the department citing service requirements for the next week.

“The total seating capacity of the assigned trains will be 21,239. The remaining seats will be filled only with the persons who are reporting to work and they should also register at the train stations.

It is compulsory to bring their ‘Service Identity Cards’ along with them as evidence so that the station masters can issue tokens to purchase the tickets,” he said.  

The assigned 33 trains are; 11 trains on the main-line, two trains on the Northern-line, 11 trains on the coastal-line, three trains on the Chilaw-line and six trains on the Kelani Vally line.

Meanwhile, SLTB Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka said they hope to increase the number of bus operations to 5,300 from Monday.

"Still, we are operating about 4,300 buses to facilitate the passengers and that would be increased from Monday assuming more people would use the service," he said.

NTC Director-General commander (Rtd) Nilan Miranda said a total of 3,200 buses have registered with them to provide services. 

"However, only 30 per cent of them were given the approval to carry out services. The number of s would be increased from Monday after considering the peoples: requirements," he said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)