Monthly safety checks made mandatory for long-distance buses

Colombo, Oct. 9 (Daily Mirror) - The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that buses operating on long-distance routes must undergo a quality inspection every month, with the inspection certificate required to be kept inside the vehicle for verification.

NTC Chairman P. A. Chandrapala made the announcement during the launch of a pilot project to test the quality of buses traveling more than 100 kilometers, which commenced this morning at the Bastion Mawatha Passenger Bus Terminal.

Chandrapala said the decision follows growing public concern over recent bus accidents, many of which were believed to be linked to poor vehicle maintenance and performance. He explained that, while buses currently undergo an annual inspection, authorities have identified the need for more frequent checks to ensure passenger safety.

The Transport Ministry, through a special committee, has finalized the key elements that should be examined in each vehicle. Based on that list, inspections will now be conducted monthly by certified professionals. Bus owners must retain the inspection certificate inside the vehicle, and passengers have the right to view it upon request.

“The pilot project launched today will be made a mandatory requirement in the future through legal provisions,” Chandrapala said, adding that the new system aims to improve safety standards and reduce the number of road accidents across the country.