9 February 2012 05:00 pm
“We expect to issue an electronic card similar to the credit or debit cards issued by commercial banks for the use of school children, the clergy, journalists and retired public servants who use inter-provincial private bus services as a pilot project, Minister Ratnayaka told the Daily Mirror.
He said those who use the electronic card will get a minimum 10% to 15% rebate when using the card to purchase a ticket which will amount to a monthly reduction of about Rs.300 for a season ticket valued at Rs.800 or the same amount of monthly bus fare.
The electronic cards will be available at passenger transport authority offices.
Minister Ratnayaka added that the new system would prevent malpractices by private bus conductors and contribute to minimise cheating, thereby increasing the income of private bus owners (SAJ)