Politicians, senior cops hindering Regulation of Private Bus Operations

13 June 2023 07:02 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Regulation of private bus operations remains a challenge since there are influential people like politicians, senior police officers, and officials of the Inland Revenue Department and Customs among bus owners, a Minister charged yesterday.

Haphazard driving, non-issuance of tickets to passengers, speeding, ad hoc stops for boarding and dropping passengers, and non-adherence to time schedules are among major allegations against private bus operators who are responsible of 50 percent stake in the passenger transport service.

Responding to a query about the failure of successive governments to regulate the bus service while improving its quality, Transport, Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardena told Daily Mirror that it had always become challenging to regulate private bus operations throughout the country. The Minister said even the increase of the number of buses plying on certain roads had become impossible.

“There are politicians, Inland Revenue officials, Customs officials and senior police officers among bus operators. There are buses operating without route permits or licenses. Some people run their buses on roads on temporary route permits. We are now planning to call for tenders to operate buses on routes selected,” he said.

Mostly, buses built on truck chassis ply on roads, and they are uncomfortable for passenger transportation.

Private buses used to operate in three categories as normal, semi-luxury and luxury services. However, the government recently scrapped the semi-luxury service. (Kelum Bandara)

Comments - 19

Concerned Citizen Tuesday, 13 June 2023 07:30 AM

So this is why none of the traffic cops stops and fines the speeding busses ! This proves that Police Department is corrupted and the assets of all senior Police officers have to be investigated !

nimpere Tuesday, 13 June 2023 07:47 AM

Not only buses built on truck chassis. Train compartment also built in " truck chassis".

Suhada malli Tuesday, 13 June 2023 08:38 AM

Government must think very carefully before Privatising public service rendering SoEs. transport, power, fuel, water, the nation should not be a victim in the crutches of private monopolies. Private busses is a good eg.

roni Tuesday, 13 June 2023 08:44 AM

Now you are talking. If you had such information why did you not disclose earlier as you played for different sides. Tuition master's must also be included into your list.

Gadget Ralahamy Tuesday, 13 June 2023 08:54 AM

Introduce technology. Automatic Number Plate Recognition ANPR solutions, will detect a vehicle that is unlicensed when passing a static point abd the police can stop them. At least hazzle and delay the vehicle if thigs don't allow apprehending them. after a while the message will sink in.

Dinesh Tuesday, 13 June 2023 09:33 AM

Issue licences for partucular routes or zones to a specific entity (company) which will be responsible to maintain standards. Require individual bus owners to contract with those entities (companies). The authorities then regulate and deal with the company rather than a myriad of individuals. Look at the privatised bus system in Victoria, Australia as a model and modify it appropriately for the starting point of the mess.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 13 June 2023 09:35 AM

The fact is, the cleaning has to start somewhere. Arrogance, Impunity, unaccountability and indecision are the factors governing this country. Discipline and Systems are non existent. The bus driver on the road is not fearful of bad driving because he knows methods how he can escape as all those Officials responsible to correct and discipline him are as arrogantly undisciplined and corrupt as this driver. Even this Minister who states this belongs to a corrupt gang, so he only makes these statements to display his tactical concern and does nothing about it.

Lion Tuesday, 13 June 2023 09:47 AM

If you take the salaries of these officers ( custom , Inland Revenue, police) including politicians non of them will be able to buy buses since buses are very expensive. In the system of governance all these people are together hence to take action against them will be very difficult. So unless the system is changed this corrupt system will continue unabated.

Mohamed Adham Tuesday, 13 June 2023 09:56 AM

This has been happening for a very long long time. And the public know who the owners of most buses running around are. But no one has the guts to call the shots and put an end to this unsafe bus environment.

Peterz Tuesday, 13 June 2023 11:27 AM

Tooting of horns should be monitored. These buses use high sound horns and are a headache and a menace on the roads. Laws exist but no one to implement it. Sorry state of affairs of Sri Lanka.

dinesh Tuesday, 13 June 2023 11:41 AM

is this fact only know yesterday to some ?? this has been the problem with this country for the last 40 years....corruption and vested interests of the private bus mafia...and its owners

Roshanaly Tuesday, 13 June 2023 12:17 PM

How about opening Income Tax files for the Inland Revenue officials?

B C P Fernando Tuesday, 13 June 2023 12:32 PM

Government within Government. Everywhere. ;-Three wheelers, buses, tippers, etc. And every one got included in their own cult. Schools , businesses, Temples etc. No equal law for everybody.

Shiran Tuesday, 13 June 2023 01:24 PM

Why not consider forming 4 or 5 companies, privately managed on a District basis and allocate the privately owned buses to these companies, similar to the privatising of the Plantations. The Owners of these buses will be identified and they can be shareholders. These Companies will have to take the responsibility to train the drivers to follow the highway codes, ensure all passengers, including the policemen who get free rides, purchase tickets etc.

Ram Tuesday, 13 June 2023 02:58 PM

The wedding bus tragedy in New South Wales Australia is in the news. 10 have died when the bus turned on its side. It is said that if they wore the seat belts many would have avoided grievous injuries. Please regulate for Bus owners to fix seat belts within a given time frame for buses running long distances

Buddhist Tuesday, 13 June 2023 03:53 PM

If a minister cannot do his job he has to leave. First and most importantly all buses should be installed with speed controlling units, this will drastically reduce speeding and accidents.

Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 13 June 2023 05:33 PM

You see, this is a cultural thing, in Sri Lanka, favoritism for connected parties is deep rooted in all areas of life. Private busses cannot be disciplined because the people who are entrusted with governance are the ones who own these buses. So that is it. Live with it. This is what majority is voting for at every election. That is to get a slice in the cake.

Jackie Tuesday, 13 June 2023 07:04 PM

Please check 120 bus route, today there were 4 buses at the same time (7.45am) near town hall . I hope you can imagine the bus race how it ended for passengers. No one follows the schedule. While on the way back only 1 bus after each half an hour. Hon. Minister, Please increase the number of businesses after 5pm

Luxman Tuesday, 13 June 2023 08:47 PM

In rulal aeras two door buses operating without considering other vehical movments thier is NO riverse gear for this chaise lorry cum buses

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Politicians, senior cops hindering Regulation of Private Bus Operations

Comments - 19

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