Modernising public transport

Recent media reports mention that public transport services would be modernised in the near future. This is a welcome move when compared to public transportation in developed countries. Buses for instance have ignored issuing tickets for passengers and plans are underway to make issuing tickets mandatory once again. Another matter that needs to be rectified is with regards to giving proper change to passengers. Sometimes bus conductors have a habit of either keeping change or asking passengers to remind them before they get off. But passengers wouldn’t bother to request for change because at times the buses are overcrowded and conductors sometimes get into arguments when passengers request them for change. This kind of unruly behavior should not be tolerated. What is advisable is to do a training programme for conductors, which could be conducted by the National Transport Commission prior to deploying them for buses. This way,  conductors would understand how important their job is,  and why they need to be disciplined. On the other hand,  it’s high time that public transport is being upgraded to make them more accessible for differently-abled individuals. Automated doors in buses, and ramp systems for wheelchair bound individuals should be introduced in this modern day and age. 

Nissanka Perera

Maligawatta