Only 47% of inter-provincial buses inspected – Audit reveals gaps in quality checks

2 November 2025 07:45 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 3 Bookmark

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Colombo, Nov. 2 (Daily Mirror) - The audit report of the National Transport Commission (NTC) for the year ended 31 December 2024 has revealed significant shortcomings in the inspection of inter-provincial passenger transport services.

According to the report, the Commission had issued approximately 3,200 passenger service permits by the end of 2024. However, only 1,515 buses — or about 47% — had undergone the required quality inspections aimed at ensuring passenger safety and service standards.

The audit observation stressed that every passenger service permit should be subject to regular quality inspections to maintain safety and convenience for the travelling public.

In response, the management acknowledged that the overall quality of public passenger transport remains low, largely due to many buses not being submitted for their annual specification inspections. The NTC stated that it plans to address this issue by conducting mobile bus standard testing programs at major terminals such as Bastian Mawatha and other high-traffic areas across the country. The Commission also noted plans to coordinate with the Department of Motor Traffic to implement a comprehensive bus standard testing program in the future.

The audit recommended that a proper system be developed to ensure that all buses are inspected for compliance with specifications when renewing their licenses, thereby improving safety and service quality in the long run.

Comments - 3

Certainly not Dr Pacha Tissa Fernando Monday, 03 November 2025 07:45 AM

Is that bad for a start? This is something that has not been done before. Even with all these shortcomings, the new government is trying to do something positive for the country - a 180 degree change from the previous anti-people regimes whose only aim is to plunder the country, enjoying all the perks at the expense of the average citizen.

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MirakRajBanda Monday, 03 November 2025 08:00 AM

Please check the brakes and their own 1970 bakery chimney full of toxic smoke. Children are dying from their own dirty pollution.

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Victor Monday, 03 November 2025 08:04 AM

Come on this is a good start it will only get better as we had nothing before this. Please give them time

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