14 February 2012 04:24 pm
The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) had earned a staggering revenue of more than Rs.78 million, almost twice as much as the usual revenue, owing to the countrywide private bus strike on Monday, the Transport Ministry said today.
Ministry sources said the SLTB runs about 4,500 buses on a regular basis but on the day of the private bus strike the fleet was increased to 5,000. “The SLTB usually earns a revenue of Rs.42 million which had risen by Rs.36 million to well over Rs.78 million. It was only possible because of the severe shortage of buses on that day,” ministry sources said.
The highest revenue had been earned in the Colombo District that of Rs.10.3 million on Monday. On the previous day SLTB had earned an income of Rs.4.6 million in Colombo. Ministry sources said some 80 per cent of private buses were on strike on Monday while a large number of passengers were stranded due to the severe scarcity of buses. (Olindhi Jayasundere)