NTC pushes digital shift with transit cards, Google Maps despite audit heat

The National Transport Commission (NTC) is advancing its plans to modernise Sri Lanka’s public transport system by introducing a prepaid transit card and integrating bus routes into Google Maps. 

These technological upgrades come as the commission faces significant criticism from the Auditor General, regarding its operational and financial performance in 2023.

A key initiative is the implementation of a prepaid card system for electronic fare collection. A pilot project for this e-ticketing system was launched on the Galle-Makumbura highway, to assess its accuracy and functionality. The NTC is also exploring other digital payment methods, including QR codes and credit/debit cards, to enhance passenger convenience.

In another move towards digitalisation, the NTC is working to incorporate public transport services into the Google Maps platform. This project, which began in 2019, has already added details for 259 routes from the Western Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority, 117 from the Southern Provincial Transport Authority and information on the Sri Lanka Transport Board and rail services to the popular navigation app. The initiative aims to provide the commuters with real-time information to better plan their journeys. 

However, these forward-looking projects are set against a backdrop of serious concerns raised by the Auditor General’s 2023 report. Auditor General W.P.C. Wickramarathne highlighted that the Sri Lanka Transport Card Project, which started in 2019, was halted after an expenditure of Rs.391,441, with the audit noting it commenced without a proper feasibility study.

The audit revealed that approximately 25 percent of the 4,625 public complaints received during the year were still under investigation. Most of these complaints related to issues such as overcharging passengers and reckless driving.

The Auditor General also highlighted several financial and operational shortcomings. Key issues include a failure to recover Rs.45,889,440 from unrenewed passenger service permits and related penalties, a significant discrepancy of Rs.94,727,804 in the accounting of the refundable tender deposit and a project to erect 300 inter-provincial signposts fallen short by 72 percent, with a 90 percent overestimation of costs for the work completed.

The NTC has acknowledged the audit findings and stated it is taking corrective measures. In its official response, the commission noted that legal action is pending for some unresolved complaints and that it is working to reconcile the financial records.