Bus route 155 virtually abandoned

6 August 2022 01:17 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Just to keep the pretence one or two CTB buses are said to make their rare appearance now and then along the way. But for all practical purposes the route is dead.

It is now plainly evident that the Western Province Transport Authorities have virtually abandoned their responsibility to keep alive the life line and the main artery of public transport for the people of Colombo North, by abandoning the 155 bus service. Just to keep the pretence one or two CTB buses are said to make their rare appearance now and then along the way. But for all practical purposes the route is dead.

This irresponsible disregard has adversely affected hundreds of men, women and more so, children travelling to schools from Mattakkuliya, Modera and Mutwal to Colleges and Convents in Kotahena, Colombo Centre, Maradana, Town Hall and beyond. It is so with the students of the two Universities along the way. Office workers are impacted adversely. Above all the move has heaped sufferings upon the poor people travelling to various clinics of the General Hospital. The general public seeking to visit the Town Hall too are inconvenienced.

It should be noted that the earlier bus services leaving Colombo North routes involving 116 to Piliyandala (along Aluthmawatha Road), 167 starting from Madampitiya to Dehiwala (along Bloemendhal Road) and route 173 going to Narahenpita (along Fort ) have all been irresponsibly discarded. Now, imagine the plight of the people of Madampitiya and Bloemendhal Road having to walk passing Aluthmawatha to reach the sea beach 145 route to Fort, which is quite a long distance. Further, the large crowds that arrive in the out-station buses reaching the Armour Street bus halt have lost their only recourse which is to take the 155 route bus to the above stated places and beyond to the Galle Road areas.

As a researcher engaged with the late Dr. John Diandas’ volume the “TRANSPORT SECTOR STUDY’ (published in 1980’s ), I was inclined to seek the causes for this disaster. Thus I contacted the officers of the Western Province Transport Authority by phone. I was told by the very courteous and helpful officers, that all the private bus owners have now withdrawn their services owing to the lack of their expected earnings. My own understanding of the problem could well be the over stretched length of the 155 route that extends to Ratmalana via Bambalapitiya.
One remedy that could be offered is to re-establish the private 155 bus service with a reduced length of the route, to terminate at Wellawatte by the side of the Canal . This could give a better turn-around time to generate more income to the private bus owners.

Immediately, the Mattakkuliya CTB bus depot manager should be instructed to provide adequate CTB buses even by withdrawing all such CTB buses used from the 145 route which has (obviously) an oversupply of buses often seen following one another within minutes.

A quick and positive response from the authorities concerned would alleviate the physical and mental stress borne by the masses of people, already suffering from the sky-rocketing and unbearable charges demanded by the three wheel drivers quite arbitrarily.

Over to;
The Hon. Minister of Transport,
Chairman, Western Province Transport Authority,
Chairman, Consumer Protection Authority,
Mayor of Colombo

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Comments - 12

Kathira Saturday, 06 August 2022 09:03 AM

Agreed. Colombo North commuters facing severe difficulties . Also in my school days 155/ 116/173 routes given very comfortable journey. There were two more routes 105 ( Crow Island to IDH and 195 ( Dockland junction to IDH). Even though less population on those days, there were adequate bus routes and services. If authorities resumed these bus routes it will be very useful to commuters as well as profitable to public transport industry.

Malcolm Chase Saturday, 06 August 2022 10:58 AM

Thats very interesting. I remember John Diandas well. He was a member of Buses Worldwide in UK too and I had much information from him in 1999.. I wonder how route 145 is over-provided and 155 almost non-existent. Surely the WPTA should sort this out.

Vernon Saturday, 06 August 2022 02:02 PM

Similarly what has happened to 260 bus route? Recently we wanted to go to Hekittha, to find that 260 is now almost non operational.

Gary Saturday, 06 August 2022 02:16 PM

What is Hon about the Minister of Transport.

Gajaba Walimunidewa Monday, 08 August 2022 12:34 AM

As a student way way back in late 70s and early 80s, I used route 155 from Darly Road near St Joseph college. It was a very popular service and especially in the evenings lots of students after tuitioning at Bamba and office workers used this route extensively. Sad to hear that such a busy useful service has been abandoned. Today, we are losing services once all enjoyed. Railway to Opanayaka good example.

B. Gaedra Monday, 08 August 2022 06:45 AM

Route # 155 needs to be re-vamped. the distance is too long. It stops at Armour street, town hall and at Bambalapitiya for long period to collect passengers.

kudson Tuesday, 09 August 2022 08:40 AM

plenty of CTB buses on the 145 route all running during off peak hours and empty just 5 or 6 passengers the private bus operators pay them to not run during peak hours their is no watchdog all are corrupt

V,T. Tuesday, 09 August 2022 10:00 AM

I fully endorse this letter .155 service should be strictly re introduced , We are residents of Kotahena .We are very badly handicapped .There is no more direct bus service to Fort , Galle road . or Town Hall .Basically from 2019 Easter bomb on wards gradually all bus services such as 102, 112, 168 were vanishing. Now we have no more Kotahena bus terminal. Whether its sun or rain we have to walk up to Armour street or Kochchikade to get a closest bus connection . Authorities and politicians should seriously look into these public issues faced by them daily.

REEZ Tuesday, 09 August 2022 12:09 PM

Non operating of 140 bus route people in Maligawatte suffering most because they have no other busses passing through Maligawatte. I can remember three busses operated in 1980s - route 132,140 and 153 through Maligawatte once upon a time.

Jeanne Friday, 12 August 2022 06:15 AM

The whole transport system needs to be overhauled. Private bus operators should be included in the discussions and the Ceylon Transport Board should work towards balancing the services for the good of the people and not merely their hip pockets. And this is the problem. All the corruption and thuggery played out behind the scenes results in the poor commuter being inconvenienced.

Oscar perera Saturday, 13 August 2022 08:16 AM

Hi .. The main reaaon is because since of late all are travelling in the " ANGODA ROUTE 134 "

kudson Saturday, 13 August 2022 09:53 AM

nice to have met Francis in the 176 bus on his way to carey college good discussion about the 155 bus and the buses in kotahena and thank you for paying my fare God bless you Francis

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Bus route 155 virtually abandoned

Comments - 12

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