20 November 2022 12:52 pm
The Central Bank (CB) Governor had approved the proposal to introduce a new automated system to issue bus tickets, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said.
He told the Daily Mirror that a new digital wallet system will be introduced to make the bus fare.
A wallet will be introduced from a bank where everyone can pay their bus fare with their debit or credit cards.
The buses will be equipped with new electronic devices that have the capability of accessing the GPS system. Passengers should swipe or place their credit or debit cards on the new devices from the place where they get in and out to complete the payment.
The buses will run without a conductor. The rear door of the buses will be kept closed.
"If the passengers do not have bank cards, they can pay the bus fare in cash, which they can deposit in a box near the driver. "The bus fare must be closer to the specified bus fare," he said.
However, the driver can employ an assistant to assist the bus with the permission of the bus owner, Wijerathne said.
He stated that CB will make arrangements to assist in the delivery of the new devices.
He said he had informed the CB governor about the new system. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)